Review of the year: Club joy in Antrim

By Shaun Casey

Promotion bid complete

THE camogs of Antrim had an excellent season with promotion clinched to Division 1A for next year.

The Saffrons hit three first-half goals to put them in a winning position against Clare in the decider.

Caitrín Dobbin had the ball in the net within minutes. Katie Molloy added the second before Dobbin made it three by half time.

It leaves Antrim, and incoming manager Elaine Dowds, looking forward to playing at the top level in 2026.

While they landed the Ulster title, they came up short in the All-Ireland series as they took aim at a perfect season.

On the club front, Loughgiel were again Antrim and Ulster champions but still search the biggest prize. Their All-Ireland dreams were shattered by a late score from St Finbarr’s at the end of the mammoth extra-time effort in the semi-final.

More massive strides

MONEYGLASS have been the dominant ladies football team in the county and they pushed on in style this season.

After retaining their Antrim title, the crunch game in Ulster was a third semi-final against Clann Éireann. This time it was different. Moneyglass came through before easing to a first-ever Ulster senior title against Errigal Ciaran.

Finished yet? No chance. The Antrim side took on Kilmacud Crokes in their own backyard, returning from Dublin with a place in the final.

It was a tall order against the reigning champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne who were unbeaten in over 50 games on their way to a fifth successive crown.

End of the line for Moneyglass? No chance. With a continued level of minor success, it feels like a story that is only beginning.

Disappointing seasons

AT county level, Antrim senior footballers and hurlers had disappointing runs in 2025. They will both go into 2026 with immediate targets.

In football, Andy McEntee’s charges were relegated to Division Four with just two wins to their name. There was a good first-halfd in the Ulster Championship opener against Armagh before they faded into defeat.

New manager Mark Doran will face into a new season where promotion will be the main item on the agenda.

In hurling, wins over Laois and Carlow ensured Antrim would remain in Division One of the NHL but they were relegated in the championship. The Joe McDonagh Cup is another new focus.

In the long term, the GAA have appointed Ciaran Kearney as the county’s new Head of Operations with a focus on delivering their plans for the future.

Glory for Dunloy

IT was a story of breakthrough at club level. After continued improvement, Dunloy’s footballers caught the imagination of the county with their style and winning mentality.

Backed by a host of dual players, they saw off Portglenone and St Brigid’s on their way to another county final.

They had Cargin in their sights again and their positive start had them in a winning position, thanks to their ability to kick two-point scores.

The scenes in the village were amazing as the McNamee Cup was paraded through on the back of the Creagh lorry. Their symbol of glory.

Away from senior level, Dunloy did the same at Féile level, winning both the hurling and football titles.

St John’s knock down the door

THE Volunteer Cup will spend Christmas in Belfast after St John’s marched to glory in Antrim after years of sheer persistence.

Neighbours Rossa won the league but when they met in the quarter-final, it was the Johnnies who prevailed, beginning a run of winning games that took them to an Ulster final.

There was the small matter of Cushendall in the Antrim semi-final, a rival in which they’d fallen short. Not this time. On an enthralling night in Dunsilly, Gerard Cunningham’s men refused to be denied.

Their guts and hurling skills took them to a final where they again caused an upset with victory over Loughgiel. It was a reward for years of toil with nothing to show only pain and narrow defeats.

Sleacht Néill were a different challenge on Ulster final day but St John’s have something to build on going into the new season.