BIGGER, BETTER, BUSIER – CONVENTION UPDATE

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Bigger, Better, Busier was the theme running through the Ulster Ladies Convention on Friday night last.

After Gerry Doherty welcomed everyone, detailed reports were delivered by Colm Murray (Secretary Report), Paul Swift (PRO Report), Caroline Brady (Cultural and Language Report), Ciaran Murtagh (Development Report), Paul Kelly (Finance Report), Ronan McCarthy (CODA Report), Karen Mc Goldrick (Fixtures Report) and Maria Hinds (Registrar).

The positive reports were crammed full of important figures and details such as

  • We now have 46, 511 members
  • We have over 25, 000 Facebook followers
  • We produced a 52-page full colour programme for our club finals
  • CODA dealt with 8 disciplinary matters in 2025
  • We have 114 schools and 350 teams competing in our PPS competitions
  • Our Development Team organised 500 events
  • 17,928 girls participated in Development events
  • We have 312 clubs an increase of 7 on last year
  • Donegal has the most members, 7, 205
  • We had over 130 games in all competitions bar schools
  • We have 5 full time staff

National subcommittee representatives were selected and bye laws approved. Gerry Doherty then delivered his final address in which he managed to thank all the people which help make our game a major success. Gerry also had a word for our sponsors, saying that they help us so please help them.

Gerry has been active in ladies football circles since 2001 and during that time he has been President for 7 years and Secretary for 6. It was  no surprise that he received a standing ovation and lots of well-deserved plaudits including one from Down’s Seamus O Hanlon, who thanked him for his support and leadership and reminded us all, that he was source of good counsel.

Gerry then handed over the reins of ULGFA to Dungannon native Eileen Jones-Hardy. In Eileen’s acceptance speech she reiterated that despite being bigger, better, busier we needed to keep pushing. During her tenure she wants to see an increase in volunteer numbers and reminded all present that change is coming but that she will make sure LGF will not be walked over.

The next Ulster meeting will take place on Tuesday night and will ratify the competition rules. Our first games of the season take place in mid-February.

CHAMPIONSHIP DRAWS

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The draws for the 2026 Ulster Championships were made at the annual Convention on Friday evening. The senior and junior competitions have three teams and a round robin format were all 3 play each other and then semi finals had been flagged before the meeting. With this known in advance the Intermediate draw took centre stage. The semi finals which will be played on 3rd May will see

Monaghan v Down

Fermanagh v Cavan

Six teams, Cavan, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Donegal, Tyrone and Down will play in a new U20 competition.  There will be two groups of three, semi finals (23rd may) and a final (6th June).

All 9 Counties in LIDL League Action

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All nine counties are in LIDL National League action on Sunday. Six sides are at home and Monaghan v Tyrone is the first derby of the season.

Antrim v Clare – 1pm Dunsilly

Armagh v Waterford – 2pm BOX-IT Athletic Grounds

Cavan v Mayo – 2pm Breffni Park

Monaghan v Tyrone – 2pm Holy Trinity, Cookstown

Donegal v Westmeath – 2pm O’Donnell Park

Laois v Fermanagh – 2pm Emo

Down v Louth – 2pm Ardglass

Sligo v Derry – 2pm Cloonacool

CONVENTION FRIDAY

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The annual Ulster Convention takes place in Canavan’s on Friday night next. On the night Tyrone administrator Eileen Jones-Hardy will take over the Presidency from Gerry Doherty. As well as the usual reports, the meeting will host the draws for all the 2026 Ulster competitions.

LIDL LEAGUES UNDERWAY

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The LIDL National Leagues get underway on Sunday next with round 1 of Division 4. Derry will be the only Ulster side in action when they take on Kilkenny in Owenbeg at 2pm. All other 8 Ulster counties will begin their campaign on the weekend of 24th/25th.

PPS ALL STARS AT UUJ

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Our 2026 PPS All Stars were guests of University of Ulster Gaelic Academy today. UUJ legend Tommy Joe Farrell showed the players the excellent facilities available at the university and spoke to the girls about their talented athlete scheme.

The girls were also presented with UUJ Jersey’s which were sponsored by EOS IT Solutions. ULGFA would like to thank Clare Crickard from EOS who attended and for her companies sponsorship of the gear and dinner.

GOOD LUCK KNOCKBRIDE AND MONEYGLASS

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ULGFA would like to wish Knockbride and St. Ergnats, Moneyglass all the best in their respective AIB All Ireland club finals which are being played tomorrow in Croke Park.

In the senior decider at 4pm Moneyglass will start as underdogs against holders Kilkerin-Clonbeirne who are going for a five in a row of titles.

Earlier at 2pm Knockbride take on Caltra in the AIB Intermediate club final.

On Sunday Cromane and Muckalee will meet in the junior final at Parnell Park. Down referee Eddie Cuthbert will take charge of this game.

CARRYDUFF MAKE HISTORY

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Ulster Minor Club Championship

Carryduff 4-10 Clann Eireann 0-5

Carryduff became the first team in Ulster to win three consecutive minor club titles when they beat Clann Eireann at a very wet Woodlands Playing Field on Thursday night. The foundation for victory was three first half goals coupled with tenacious defending by a very well drill Duff side.

Clann Eireann opened the scoring through Lily Marie McAreavey however Carryduff were soon level when captain Cara Donnelly fired over. The Down champions then hit 2-4 without reply, Hannah Hassin and Evie McHugh finding the net while Ellie Sergeant (2), Niamh Napier and Mc Hugh pointed. Clann Eireann rallied towards the  end of the first half with Brianna Magee and Abigail Mc Mahon sending over. The potential comeback was short lived as Donnelly sent over her second point and Cara Connolly goaled to leave the half time score 3-6 to 0-3 in Carryduff’s favour.

Corner forwards Ellie Sergeant and Caileigh Magee exchanged points early in the second half. Cara Donnelly then added her third point before Evie McHugh found the net for her second major. Mc Hugh then brought her tally to 2-2 and Sophie Kerr pointed to become the seventh different Carryduff scorer. In the final minute Grace Stewart fired over for Clann Eireann however it was mere consolation as Carryduff went on to win their three in a row with 17 points to spare. Midfielder Isa Mc Carron was named player of the match.

 

MINOR FINAL POSTPONED

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Sunday’s minor club final between Carryduff and Clann Eireann has fallen victim to the inclement weather. The game will be refixed for mid week and the clubs will be notified asap.

MINOR CLUB FINAL SUNDAY

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The Ulster Minor Club final between holders Carryduff and Armagh champions Clann Eireann will take place at the Dub, Belfast on Sunday at 3-30pm.

This will be the last competitive game in the 2025 Ulster calendar.

Both teams have been playing good football and accounted for Magheracloone and St. Treas in the semi finals. Please not ethe change of time as this game was originally fixed for 1pm.