SATURDAY – MINORS @2PM
Down V Fermanagh – St. John’s, Drumnaquoile
Derry v Tyrone – Sean Dolans
Armagh v Cavan – Carrickcruppen
Monaghan v Donegal – Aughnamullen
SUNDAY – U16’s @2pm
Armagh v Fermanagh – St. Ronan’s, Lurgan
Cavan v Derry – Breffni 3G
U20’s CHAMPIONSHIP
Cavan v Monaghan – Redhills @11am
Tyrone v Donegal – Edendork @2pm
Donegal 2-7
Cavan 0-8
Donegal were crowned Lidl National Football League Division 2 champions after a powerful second-half display saw them overturn a three-point deficit to defeat Cavan in St Tiernach’s Park, Clones.
Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening half, Cavan made an impressive start and looked in control for long periods. Ella Sheridan led the charge, opening the scoring inside the first minute before adding further frees as Cavan built a 0-4 to 0-0 lead by the 22nd minute. Sinéad Greene also chipped in with a fine effort as Cavan dominated possession but struggled to fully capitalise.
Donegal, however, finished the half strongly. Katie Dowds got them up and running with a well-taken point before adding a second soon after, leaving just two between the sides at the break to 0-4 to 0-2.
Cavan stretched their lead early in the second half through another Sheridan free, but Donegal quickly found their rhythm with the wind at their backs. Susanne White converted two frees to close the gap before Ciara McGarvey levelled matters following a slick attacking move.
Donegal were reduced to 14 players when Roisin Rodgers was shown a yellow card seven minutes after the break, but they responded well. The turning point arrived shortly after when Mia Bennett reacted quickest to palm the ball to the net after an initial effort dropped short, giving Donegal a lead they would not relinquish.
Cavan responded through Catherine Dolan, but Donegal pushed on with points from Dowds and substitute Eva Gallagher to open up a four-point cushion. Any hopes of a comeback were ended when Dowds finished clinically for Donegal’s second goal after a clever assist from McGarvey.
Despite a late point from Sheridan and a strong defensive effort, including a fine save from goalkeeper Evelyn Baugh, Cavan couldn’t bridge the gap. Donegal’s clinical finishing and second-half dominance ultimately proved the difference as they claimed the Division 2 title.
Scorers: Donegal: K Dowds 1-3, M Bennett 1-0, S White 0-2f, C McGarvey 0-1, E Gallagher 0-1. Cavan: E Sheridan 0-6 (4f), S Greene 0-1, C Dolan 0-1.
DONEGAL: C Friel; N Carr, E McGinley, S McFeely; T Hegarty, F McManamon, S McFadden; C Brennan, R Rodgers (c); B McLaughlin, K Dowds, N Boyle; S White, M Bennett, C McGarvey. Subs: E Gallagher for C Brennan; U Boyle for M Bennett.
CAVAN: E Baugh; S Kelly, A Kennedy, S Greene; C Charters, D Lynch, Z Fay; M Fitzpatrick, K McCormack; C Dolan, E Sheridan, N Keenaghan; S Lynch, A Sheridan, K M Reilly. Subs: E Brady for Fitzpatrick; L Crowe for D Lynch; C McCaffrey for McCormack; N McCorry for Reilly; C Lynch for Keenaghan.
Louth 1-10
Antrim 1-9
A game of two halves in Crossmaglen as Louth captured the Lidl National League Division 3 title with the last kick of the game.
Substitute Laura Lynch scored the winner for the Wee county with a last gasp free as the final looked to be heading to extra time.
Kevin Larkin’s side laid the foundation for victory in the opening half against the elements by only trailing by a point at the break and a fortuitous goal from another replacement Grace Hoey, midway through the second half, proved crucial.
The Eimear Byrne switch to the inside line has been a secret to Louth’s promotion success this season. The experienced Mochta’s player landed an early score against the wind to settle her team mates around her.
Antrim’s Aoibheann Monaghan’s impact was profound, a late change from the bench, the former Irish underage netballer levelled straightaway. Monaghan was a constant menace to the Louth backline.
Despite the response, Louth’s superior running game was telling. Ceire Nolan was impressing agaisnt the elements and Aine Breen and Ciara Woods opened an early Louth lead.
Monaghan then was on hand to punish a wayward Louth restart. Squeezing in between two Louth defenders the St. Joseph’s player slotted home. Despite the goal and the favourable wind, Antrim could not push on.
A match ending injury to Lambe Sally five before half time cause not only a huge delay, but an opportunity for the Ulster ladies to atone for not fully using the wind efficiently. Eight first half wides proved costly.
Saffrons goalkeeper Aine Devlin was forced into action, doing well as she tipped a dangerous Aine Breen shot around the post.
Byrne’s second 20th minute score was followed as Theresa Mallon and Louth free taker Sophie Everitt traded scores to make it 1-4 to 0-6 at the break to Chris Scullion’s Antrim side. The slender lead even at that stage, felt inadequate.
Hoey’s 13th minute looping goal in the second period was compounded by a black card to Laura Agnew. Cliodhna Logan’s brace gave Antrim a brief lead but extra time beckoned. Substitute Lynch held her nerve providing Louth their third piece of silverware under Larkin’s tutelage.
Scorers – Louth: G Hoey 1-0, S Everitt 0-3 (3f), E Byrne 0-2, C Woods, L White, A Breen, A Halligan, L Lynch (f) 0-1 each. Antrim: A Monaghan 1-1, T Mellon, C Logan 0-2 each, M O’Neill, A Davidson, L Agnew, O Dahunsi 0-1 each.
LOUTH: R Lambe Fagan; S Matthews, E Hand, H Lambe Sally; A Murray, S McLaughlin, L Byrne; A Halligan, Á Breen (capt.); L White, C Nolan, Z Sweeney; E Byrne, S Everitt, C Woods. Subs: R Beirth for H Lambe Sally (26), G Hoey for L Byrne (ht), A Russell for Sweeney (52), E Thompson for C Woods (52), L Lynch for S Everitt (55).
ANTRIM: A Devlin; H Donaghy, M Blaney, M Mulholland; D Coleman, C Brown, A Monaghan; L Agnew, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, O Dahunsi, C McKenna; B Devlin (capt.), M O’Neill, A Davidson. Subs: A McGarry for H Donaghy (46), C Logan for D Coleman (46) C Taggart for A Davidson (53).
Despite fuel protests and inclement weather, five of the six teams taking part in the inaugural Ulster U20 championship turned up for the launch in Canavan’s tonight. The competition gets underway on Sunday 19th April with the eventual winner going on to an All-Ireland series. Welcoming the teams to the launch, Ulster Secretary Colm Murray said, “From small acorns grow great sycamores and he hoped that going forward we would have all nine counties involved. Colin also thanked the Jackson family for their donation of the cup for the competition and invited Tom Jackson to say a few words.
Tom congratulated Ulster Council on the setting up of the U20 competition and thanked them for the opportunity to have Karen’s name on the cup. He said his family were both delighted and proud to be associated with the new tournament and wished everyone the of luck.
Karen Jackson died in July 2018 aged just 22. She had been born with a liver condition, but this never stopped her. She was GAA mad and her life revolved around football and her club St. Finbarr’s. She played, attended county board meetings and coached at her club. She followed both Cavan ladies and men teams. In 2018 she received a transplant however she then suffered a haemorrhage which claimed her young life. Her club commissioned a special jersey in Karen’s memory and along with her family actively promote organ donation.
It’s a super busy weekend with a number of finals scheduled and football on both Saturday and Sunday.
SUPER SATURDAY
LIDL LEAGUE FINALS
First up is the LIDL League Division 3 final between Antrim and Louth. These two will meet in Crossmaglen at 1pm. Louth won the round robin game 0-15 to 0-6. The game is available live on Sport TG4 You Tube
At 3pm Cavan and Donegal will meet in the LIDL League Division 2 final in Clones. The sides met in round 4 with Cavan winning 1-6 to 0-7. Games between the sides are always close so you can expect this one will go to the wire. The game is available live on TG4.
U14 FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL
Platinum – Tyrone v Armagh – Kinawley 3pm
Gold – Monaghan v Down – St. Paul’s, Lurgan 12-30pm
Silver – Derry v Donegal – Kinawley 1pm
Bronze – Fermanagh v Antrim – St. Paul’s, Lurgan 10-30am
SUNDAY U16’s 2pm
Donegal v Down – Cloughaneely
Monaghan v Antrim – TBC
Derry v Fermanagh – Owenbeg
Cavan v Armagh – Breffni
The Ulster Championship 2026 was launched yesterday evening at the Manor House Hotel, Enniskillen. Representatives from all nine counties and London joined with Ulster GAA for a colourful event.
Speaking at the launch, President Eileen Jones-Hardy took the opportunity to wish all ten competing counties the very best of luck and also wished Donegal, Cavan and Antrim all the best for their upcoming league finals.
The championship kicks off on Saturday 25th April when Antrim play Derry in the first round of the junior competition and concludes with the senior final on 24th May.
It was another very busy weekend of football with the final games in the LIDL National League, another three u14 Festivals of football played and another round of our U16 competition completed.
After the weekend League games we now know that Cavan, Donegal and Antrim have been promoted and will contest their respective divisional finals.
LIDL LEAGUES RD 7
Meath 0-11 Armagh 1-8
Down 1-9 Antrim 2-8
Cavan 2-9 Westmeath 1-15
Mayo 2-14 Monaghan 0-10
Tipperary 5-5 Tyrone 5-10
Fermanagh 2-10 Limerick 1-7
Donegal 0-11 Wexford 0-3
U14 FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL RESULTS
Cavan 2-4 Antrim 3-8
Monaghan 2-4 Donegal 0-5
Tyrone 1-2 Armagh 1-2
Fermanagh 0-3 Cavan 0-2
Down 3-2 Donegal 1-4
Tyrone 5-3 Derry 1-2
Fermanagh 1-8 Antrim 2-2
Down 1-6 Monaghan 1-2
Derry 3-7 Armagh 1-1
U16 RESULTS
Down 2-5 Monaghan 3-1
Tyrone 3-10 Donegal 0-7
Armagh 6-7 Derry 1-10
Fermanagh v Cavan- postponed
Photo – Elaine Kelly
Our Development Manager Ciaran Murtagh attended his last Ulster Council meeting on Tuesday last before he heads of to pastures new. The Ballyholland clubman has been appointed Head of Volunteer Development at the LGFA in Croke Park and will take up his new post next month.
Heading to his new job, Ciaran will bring a wealth of experience. He began his career with Ulster Council in October 2007 and worked as a DENI KS1 Schools coach until August 2015. In September 2015 he was appointed Ulster Ladies Development Officer and more recently was appointed Ulster Development Manager. Throughout his time with ULGFA Ciaran has been the most diligent, conscientious and hard-working member of staff.
Our loss is LGFA’s gain and we all wish him the very best of luck in his new post. Ciaran is pictured receiving a token of appreciation from Ulster Ladies President Eileen Jones-Hardy.
It’s another busy weekend of underage football in the province with 3 U14 Festivals on Saturday and four U16 games on Sunday. Pitches are hard to come by at the moment due to poor weather and the start of mens football. Fixture details to hand are as follows:
U14 FESTIVAL OF FOOTBALL – SATURDAY
Tyrone to host Derry and Armagh – venue TBC
Fermanagh hosting Cavan and Antrim at Erne Gaels
Down to host Monaghan and Donegal – venue TBC
U16’s – SUNDAY
Down v Monaghan – TBC
Tyrone v Donegal – Greencastle 2pm
Armagh v Derry – Killean 2pm
Fermanagh v Cavan – Teemore 11am
ULGFA have presented the GATHER4MCGAHON initiative with a cheque for their campaign. Nicola, Sheen and Eilish called into the Ulster Council meeting on Tuesday night to receive a donation from Eileen Jones on behalf of the ladies gaels in the province.
GATHER4MCGAHON are hosting a wheelchair football tournament in Gallbally on 18th April and everyone is welcome to attend for a day of football, music and craic. Catriona will be in attendance and is eager to play in one of the games.
