Antrim’s season of goals continues

By Michael McMullan

ANTRIM have eyed three pieces of silverware this season. With the league title tucked away, their focus turns to the Ulster Championship and this weekend’s date with Derry.

Ciara Brown was one of seven Saffron players named on the Division Four team of the season, Ulster University’s player of the year and she is excited by their progress to date.

Antrim will contest the Ulster Junior title with Ulster rivals Derry and London who have joined this season.

“It’s coming right up here,” Brown said of their quick change in focus towards championship football.

“There are three pieces of silverware up for grabs, and from the start we’ve just mentioned all three,” the St Paul’s player said.

“There’s no point saying you’re only going for one. We have one in the bag and the girls want the same thing, so hopefully one can come out with all three at the end of the year.”

In a previous interview on these pages, Brown recalled looking on as a supporter as Antrim lifted the 2012 All-Ireland title. It lit a fire and she is now one of the county’s key players.

The initial focus this season was about getting back to Division Three where they believe they can challenge next season. There is an ambitious tone to Brown’s words. There is a mix of enthusiasm added in.

Under new managers Chris Scullion and Mickey Devlin, they have been thriving on a new attacking mindset that has yielded no fewer than 40 goals en route to the league title.

Substitute Aoibhinn Monaghan came on in the second half of the league final win over Fermanagh and it was her goal that broke a game that hung in the balance.

“They absolutely love goals and stated that from the start,” Brown said of their management’s focus.

Recycling possession and safe passes have been replaced by a mindset of going for the jugular.

“This year I feel like we’ve just went down the throat and it’s worked wonders” Brown said of their 2025 momentum.

“I think the talent’s there and we’ve always known the talent’s there. Mickey and Chris, they’re all about going for it, showing our talent and displaying it all.

“They know all the girls have the pace, so there’s not just one or two girls that can do it. We’ve a whole variety in the forward line, even on down the pitch, maybe on the subs bench too.”

Monaghan’s goal put the icing on the cake but it’s all coming from the training ground. There is an excitement of being in each other’s company. It’s a buzz that’s been there before their league final win. It has been building.

“Every time we turned up to training, we knew we had another job to do at the end of the week,” Brown summed up.

“The buzz was there, the girls and their determination, that just makes it fun and enjoyable.”

Brown and Antrim hope their season isn’t finished yet and there are more joyous scenes around the corner. Their 2025 has been about setting goals and scoring goals. Derry is their next challenge.