BUSY WEEKEND FOR ULSTER COUNTIES

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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

TYRONE 2000 AND 2001

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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

THREE IN A ROW FOR ARMAGH

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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).

ORCHARD MEET RED HAND IN TG4 SENIOR FINAL SUNDAY

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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.

WEEKEND FIXTURES

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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

ANTRIM RETAIN TG4 JUNIOR TITLE

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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)

MC CORRY DOUBLE SINKS MONAGHAN

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TG4 ULSTER INTERMEDIATE FINAL

Cavan 4-13 Monaghan 1-20 AET

Two goals in the first period of extra time from Niamh Mc Corry proved to be the winning scores in an enthralling Ulster Intermediate final. Holders Cavan looked to have retained their title in normal time before a late goal from Caoimhe Ward forced the extra time and the large crowd certainly got their money’s worth.

Cavan opened a two-point lead with scores from Ellie Sheridan and Mc Corry. A couple of frees from Chloe Mc Bride levelled matters and then a point from midfielder Muireann Atkinson put the Farney girls in front. The lead didn’t last long as Breffni wing back Sinead Green finished a super run with a goal. Matters then got worse for Monaghan as Muireann Cusack’s speculative effort ended up in the net via the crossbar. Another point from Mc Corry gave Cavan a 6-point lead going into the second quarter.

Ellie Sheridan and Sarah Tierney then traded points. A Emma Mc Intyre effort put seven between the sides however Monaghan had the last say of the half. Chloe Mc Bride fired over a free and another point from Amy Garland left the midway score Cavan 2-5 Monaghan 0-8.

Aisling Sheridan hit the first score of the second half. Amy Jo Kierans and Ellie Sheridan then exchanged points. With seven minutes gone in the half Monaghan were dealt a blow, with Maeve Monaghan receiving a yellow card. With Monaghan down a player Cavan went for the jugular. Niamh Keenaghan fired over a couple of points but Monaghan to their credit didn’t panic and Keenaghan’s scores were wiped out with points from Lauren Garland and Niamh Flanagan.

The introduction of Leanne Maguire had a very positive effect on Monaghan. The experienced Magheracloone star hit three unanswered points to leave just two between the sides. With 3-31 left on the clock livewire defender Sinead Green popped up to score a point and leave three in it. Monaghan had to drive forward and that they did. With just 2 minutes remaining substitute Caoimhe Ward scored the all-important goal to give Monaghan a draw and send the tie to extra time. Full time score Cavan 2-11 Monaghan 1-14.

In the first period of extra time Monaghan struck first through Eabha Sherry who just hours earlier had legged it from Maynooth after sitting a college exam. The Breffni girls then had a small purple patch which was the winning of the game. Niamh Mc Corry found the back of the net twice and Ellie Sheridan added her fifth point. Casey Treanor did point for Monaghan but after the first ten minutes of extra time Cavan led by five points  4-12 to 1-16.

Monaghan dominated the second period of extra time. Maguire added another three points while midfielder Flanagan double her personal tally. All that Cavan could manage was a single point from Ellie Sheridan however when the hooter went the Breffni side had two points to spare, winning 4-13 to 1-20. Zara Fay was named player of the match by the press in attendance.

Cavan – E. Baugh, Z. Fay, S. Lynch, A. Kennedy, L. Crowe, E. McIntyre (0-1), S. Greene (1-1), M. Fitzpatrick, D. Lynch, K. McCormack, E. Sheridan (0-6), E. Brady, M. Cusack (0-1), A. Sheridan (0-1) and N. McCorry (2-2)

Subs Used – N. Keenaghan (0-2), C. Lynch, C. Mc Caffrey, K.Reilly and R. McLoughlin

Monaghan – O. Kelly, A. Loughman, A. Mc Quaid, K. Nolan, M. Monaghan, J. Duffy, A. Garland (0-1), M. Atkinson (0-1), N. Flanagan (0-2), C. Treanor (0-2), C. Courtney (0-1), A. McCormack, C. McBride (0-3), L. Garland (0-1) and S. Tierney (0-1)

Subs Used – A. Kierans, L. Maguire (0-6), C. Ward (1-0), E. Traynor, J. McQuillan, Erin Shannon and D. Cawley

Referee – G. Finnegan (Down)

TG4 JUNIOR FINAL – REPEAT OF 2025

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TG4 Ulster Junior Final – Antrim v Derry

 

The junior final between Antrim and Derry is a repeat of last year’s decider which Antrim won 3-8 to 2-7.

Antrim operate in Division 3 of the league and had a fine campaign reaching the final only to lose to Louth by a single point. Along the way they defeated Down who play in the Ulster Intermediate championship. In the Ulster championship round robin stages, they have already beaten Derry and London to reach today’s final.

In their first game of the championship, played on 25th April Antrim had seven points to spare over Derry, winning 1-19 to 2-8. In their second game against London the Saffrons were ruthless, racking up 4-21 and only conceding 1-6.

Derry haven’t won this title since 2018. The Oak Leaf girls had a poor league campaign. They play in Division 4, won their first game against Kilkenny and then lost 6 on the trot, however some were by just a single point.

Antrim have already beat them in the first round of the competition however they bounced back and were impressive in their 7-19 to 0-3 mauling of London. This is a one-off game, all the previous meetings mean nothing. Last year no one gave them a chance and they ran Antrim to four points.

Bragging rights are currently with Antrim and it’s hard not to see a Saffron win. With that said, everyone thought Donegal would beat Down and Derry would beat Monaghan. It will be a close one.

NEIGHBOURS CONEST TG4 INTERMEDIATE FINAL

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TG4 Ulster Intermediate Final – Cavan v Monaghan

 

There is nothing like a good neighbourly scrap to wet the appetite and that is what today’s intermediate decider should be. To add further spice to the game, the Farney girls are managed by a Cavan man.

Cavan had a successful league campaign, reaching the final only to be beaten by Donegal. In their campaign they defeated Monaghan 2-9 to 1-9. In last year’s Ulster semi, final they also beat the Farney girls, so the bragging rights are very much in the Breffni camp now.

They booked their place in todays final courtesy of a five-point win over Fermanagh. This was a yoyo affair with the sides level 8 times. Fermanagh led at the break by a single point 0-7 to 1-3, the Cavan goal coming from Keri Mc Cormack. The second half continued to be tight and was only when Ella Sheridan netted in injury time that the Breffni side could breathe a massive sigh of relief. Sheridan was on fire that day contributing 1-7 of her sides 2-11 total.

Monaghan started the league campaign with a new manager and after a few games he began finding his feet, got his best team on the pitch and ensured survival in Division 2. The team’s spine is made up of players from reigning county champions Emmet Og and former Ulster champions Donaghmoyne.

In their semi-final against Down Chloe Mc Bride hit five first half points which helped Monaghan lead at the break 0-7 to 0-4. It was much of the same in the second half with Monaghan winning 0-13 to 0-8. Eabha Sherry marked her return from injury with a couple of points and will now be pushing for a starting place in the final.

Games between these two are always close, so expect nothing different today. Extra time could be needed.

WEEKEND RESULTS

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TG4 SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Tyrone 1-10 Armagh 0-8
TG4 JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Derry 7-19 London 0-3
U20 CHAMPIONSHIP
Fermanagh 2-4 Cavan 7-21
Donegal 4-13 Down 0-8
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