Moneyglass hoping for third time lucky against the champions

By Michael McMullan

MONEYGLASS face Ulster champions Clann Éireann on Sunday aiming to break their semi-final hoodoo against the Armagh side.

They left themselves too much to do last season in a one-goal defeat having lost at the same stage in 2023.

Moneyglass backed up a fifth successive Antrim title this season with a 5-10 to 2-5 quarter-final win over Bredagh. Two Cathy Carey goals in the first half helped them to victory.

“It was a bad day, bad conditions so there were things that we know we have to improve on as well,” said Carey, who coaches a minor team that has an Ulster date with Carryduff next month.

“It wasn’t as straightforward as it (the scoreline) would suggest. If you don’t come away from a game without something to work on, you’re probably not analysing it properly.”

With Clann Éireann coming up this weekend and just four teams remaining, the race for the title thickens.

The minor girls have been preparing for their clash, with “eight or nine” doubling up on the senior squad. Saturday will see the senior men take on Glenullin.

“It could be a dream weekend,” Carey said of their senior teams stepping into their respective arenas.

It’s something she’d have taken with open arms when the Moneyglass ladies’ run of success began.

They’ve added players every year from underage but a core of players with all five senior medals still forming the backbone.

“It’s really good that we still have that bulk of girls left because it feels now that everybody’s in it together,” Carey said.

“There hasn’t been a massive turnover, which is great. In ladies football especially you never know with the number of retirements, pregnancies or all the things that can happen within a season.

“Moneyglass ladies, as a club, it’s really special and girls are very passionate about it so it.”

There is the experience and talent from the older players fused with the young players coming in without any fear.

“It’s a small area,” Carey added. “We take a lot of pride in it and six or seven years ago, I would have given my right arm for a senior championship.

“To be in this position now, you sit back and you realise how lucky you are to be part of that.”

Errigal Ciaran and Cavan champions Lurgan do battle in one semi-final this weekend. Moneyglass travel to Lurgan for their clash with Clann Éireann with their eyes wide open.

“It’s a massive game,” Carey points out. “We’ve been on the pitch with them for the last two semi-finals, so that’s not new to us anymore but Clann Éireann are showing they’re an exceptional team

“They were very worthy Ulster champions over the past couple of years so we’ve got a massive task ahead.

“We’ll be going in as underdogs again so it’s just making sure we perform on the day.

“It’s knock-out football, it’s do-or-die and we would love to get over that step. We’ve done everything we can to get there but yeah it’s very much goes down to what happens on the day.”