Gaelic Games

Antrim took a potentially decisive step to retaining their Division 1B status in the Allianz Hurling League by hammering fellow strugglers Laois 4-22 to 0-21 at a sunny Corrigan Park.

Defeat in their final game would have ensured the drop to Division Two for the Saffrons but instead Laois now need the unlikely prospect of two home wins over Carlow and Dublin to relegate Davy Fitzgerald's side.

On the basis of Laois' performance in Belfast, that turn of events looks extremely unlikely.

While it was a strong team performance by Antrim, James McNaughton's display stood out as he notched exactly half of their total by scoring 2-11.

However, the Saffrons had stars all over the pitch with Eoghan Campbell impressing in his more advanced role as youngster Cormac McKeown, Gerard Walsh, Conor Johnston and Joe Maskey were among others to impress.

Antrim's display was even more praiseworthy given the illness which was affected more than a dozen of their squad earlier this week.

Laois never looked like getting back into the contest but Antrim keeper Ryan Elliott still made three superb saves - including a late magnificent stop to turn a Mark Dowling piledriver over the bar.

Antrim needed to make a fast start and that's exactly what happened as two Walsh points and a McNaughton brace moved them into a 0-6 to 0-1 lead before the Loughgiel man blasted in the first of his two goals.

Laois briefly threatened to get back in touch as they cut the margin to 1-6 to 0-4 but the Saffrons regained control to move 2-12 to 0-7 up with Campbell's unselfish pass setting up Johnston to fire past Cathal McDunne.

By half-time, Antrim's lead was 2-15 to 0-8 and while Laois were going to have the benefit of a slight breeze in the second period, the game was already beyond them.

After trailing by 13 at the break, Laois never got closer than nine in arrears in the second half.

That was when Aaron Dunphy hit his eighth point in the 65th minute to cut Antrim's lead to 2-20 to 0-17 but the home side side finished with a flourish as McNaughton stroked his second goal after a superb Seaan Elliott pass before Keelan Molloy added a further major.

Image source, Inpho

Mark Sidebottom
BBC Sport NI

Image source, Getty Images

Antrim's ambition to host the All-Ireland champions Armagh at Corrigan Park was clear from the moment the draw for the Ulster Championship was made.

The Ulster GAA's reservations with that have also been clear from day one with concerns over health and safety sign-off given Corrigan's limited capacity and increased ticketing demand.

Antrim have remained resolute in their ambitions to bring this tie to west Belfast - and again this week nominated Corrigan Park as their venue.

With the nine Ulster counties represented at Thursday's committee meeting, no-one seconded their proposal – while rules stated that another member could nominate a venue.

Newry's Pairc Esler was put forward – and seconded in the room – giving the provincial council the authority to proceed with that decision.

Antrim have somewhat dug their heels in, releasing a statement confirming Corrigan Park had statutory health and safety sign off from Belfast City Council – and garnered the supported of the players association, too.

So, where do we go from here?

Antrim have 72 hours to lodge an appeal to Croke Park's Central Appeals Committee (CAC), which I am told they are working on and is likely to be facilitated next week.

If that is unsuccessful, Antrim would then have the option of the GAA's final court of appeal - the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA).

The stakes are significant. If Antrim's appeal fails and they do not field against Armagh - as they previously stated - they would not only forfeit the game but also risk being disqualified from championship football for the remainder of the season.

Right now, the mood within Antrim GAA is both defiant and febrile.

They feel they have the broad support of the wider GAA public and the county will be presenting a united front ahead of this weekend's hurling fixture at Corrigan Park.

This is playing out as rather unedifying for the GAA in Ulster - the provincial governing body too has dug in and it's now a case of who blinks first.

Is this a case which will see the intervention of GAA president Jarlath Burns? Only time will tell, but this saga is far from over.

Mark Sidebottom
BBC Sport NI

Image source, Inpho

Antrim hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald has told BBC Sport NI that their Division 1B game with Laois will go ahead on Sunday as planned.

An outbreak of sickness in the Saffron squad saw a number of players unable to train during the week after a gastric bug went through the camp.

"There has been a virus in the camp but we fully expect that to be cleared by Sunday," Fitzgerald told BBC Sport NI.

"This massive game against Laois will go ahead as scheduled.

"Let me be absolutely clear, win lose or draw Antrim are not and will not be making any excuses.

"Laois are tough opposition, this is a 50/50 game and we look forward to a big crowd at Corrigan Park."

The Saffrons currently sit fifth in the table with three points from their five league matches this season with opponents Laois directly beneath them in the table with two games in hand over Antrim.

Mark Sidebottom
BBC Sport NI

Image source, Inpho

The Antrim hurling squad have been hit by an outbreak of sickness ahead of their Division 1B game against Laois in Belfast on Sunday.

The Saffrons currently sit fifth in the table with three points from their five league matches this season.

"A number of our players were unable to train on Tuesday and more are reporting unwell today," Antrim manager Davy Fitzgerald told BBC Sport NI.

"Our medics have confirmed it's a gastric bug. We are monitoring the situation and player welfare at this moment is our priority."

Laois, who are directly beneath Antrim in the 1B table, have two games in hand having only played three league matches thus far this season.

Fitzgerald was appointed Antrim boss in August 2024, succeeding Darren Gleeson.

In his first league campaign, Antrim have beaten Westmeath and last week drew with Carlow, but have suffered defeats by Dublin, Offlay and Waterford.

Image source, Inpho

Donegal boss Jim McGuinness praised his team's late fightback as they beat Ulster derby rivals Derry 1-22 to 1-19 on Sunday.

The Ballyshannon hosts were eight points down with 15 minutes left in the Division One encounter before clinching a comeback victory.

"Derry came very hard at us and played very, very well," McGuinness told BBC Sport NI after the game.

"We were flat for long, long periods of the game but managed to find a way - in a way that's the most pleasing thing."

Derry led 0-11 to 0-7 at the break and a goal from Conor Glass saw them extend their advantage after the restart.

Shane O'Donnell netted as Donegal hit 1-6 without reply and secured a win which leaves them in second place and only behind leaders Galway on scoring difference with two matches remaining.

A top-two finish would see Donegal earn in a place in the final but that would mean playing seven games in eight weeks ahead of another meeting with Derry in the Ulster Championship on 6 April.

"It's clear the boys need a break," he added.

"It's not ideal for us but you're in Division One and you want to get to this point so we have to celebrate that as well."

"We're not in a league final - there's a lot of other games to be played and there's a lot of other teams that can be in the final."

Image source, Inpho

Gerard Walsh scored a late goal for Antrim to rescue a 2-18 to 1-21 draw against Carlow at Dr Cullen Park in hurling's Division 1B.

Walsh netted from a free with the last puck of the game to salvage a point for Davy Fitzgerald's side.

Carlow led 1-11 to 0-8 at the break after Chris Nolan's goal, but Antrim managed to stay in the game before James McNaughton missed a penalty.

Late goals from Conor Johnston and Walsh then completed the unlikely comeback.

Nolan netted on 28 minutes with James Doyle tagging on three points from play for Carlow.

The Saffrons responded with two points from Eoghan Campbell and three from McNaughton as they tried to stay in touch with the hosts.

Nolan got Carlow's first score after the restart, but Antrim fought back as Johnstone hit two quick points.

McNaughton's accuracy from frees helped Fitzgerald's side continue to chip away at Carlow's lead before the late drama ensued.

With 10 minutes remaining Paul Doyle fouled McNaughton and was shown a black-carded, but McNaughton's penalty was saved by Brian Tracey.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Carlow continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over through a Conor Kehoe point and two Marty Kavanagh frees.

McNaughton and Eoin McFerran responded for Antrim with points before Johnston goal set up a tense finale.

Carlow were then the architects of their own downfall, losing the ball in own half and then conceded a 35-metre free from which Walsh netted the unlikely equaliser.

Antrim now have a huge game in Ballycastle to look forward to next weekend as they face Laois, looking to keep their hopes of staying in the division alive.

Image source, Inpho

Reigning Division One champions Armagh remain on course to reach another league final after a 2-15 to 1-7 victory against Kildare.

The Orchard County racked up a fifth successive league win thanks to goals in either half from Niamh Henderson and Emily Druse.

They led 1-6 to 0-2 at the break after a dominant first half display as Henderson rifled home after being played through by Aoife McCoy.

Druse gave them a 13-point advantage at one stage in the second half when she scored their second goal before Leah McGovern slotted home what proved to be a late consolation for Kildare.

Also in Division One, Tyrone were thrashed 6-15 to 0-6 by an impressive Waterford side at Aghyaran.

Waterford controlled the game from start to finish and were well on their way to the win by half-time as they held a commanding 3-8 to 0-2 lead.

Lauren McGregor scored a hat-trick and they also had goals from Chloe Fennell, Katie Murray and Kellyann Hogan in their dominant win.

The Red Hands, despite having three points on the board, now find themselves in a relegation battle with fellow strugglers Mayo.

In Division Two, Donegal were beaten 2-16 to 0-6 by Galway whilst Monaghan claimed a 4-11 to 1-9 win against Clare.

In Division Three, Cavan overcame Offaly 3-12 to 0-4 whilst Down played out a draw with Wexford.

In Division Four, Antrim and Fermanagh booked their places in the semi-finals as the Saffrons continued their winning streak.

They eased past Wicklow 7-6 to 1-7 whilst Fermanagh picked up a 2-10 to 0-6 victory against Sligo.

Derry got a much-needed win as they beat Kilkenny 5-15 to 0-4.

Image source, Inpho

Monaghan sit top of Division Two thanks to a 1-27 to 1-21 victory over Louth in Drogheda on Sunday.

The Ulster side were firmly on course for the win with Conor McCarthy netting as they led by 17 points just before the break.

However, Louth fought back and Sam Mulroy slotted home a penalty to help his side move within three points.

Monaghan responded with late points as the visitors came away with a six-point success.

Monaghan surged into a 10-point advantage after just 12 minutes with Andrew Woods and Stephen O'Hanlon each firing over four apiece in a one-sided first half.

McCarthy shot low into the net to increase the lead and at half-time Monaghan boasted a 1-19 to 0-07 lead.

It was all change on the restart as Louth launched a comeback which saw them threaten an unlikely victory.

Louth went on a run of 1-9 without reply with Mulroy accounting for 1-7 of the total.

Now just three points ahead with two minutes left and Monaghan were in danger of letting slip a huge lead but they rallied to see out the remaining time to secure another two league points.

Roscommon and Meath are also on eight points but Monaghan lead the way on scoring difference.

Odhran Crumley
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Donegal came from eight points down with 15 minutes left to play to beat Derry 1-22 to 1-19 in Ballyshannon.

Daire O Baoill and Ciaran Thompson landed two-pointed efforts either side of a Shane O'Donnell goal as Jim McGuinness' side made a Lazarus like recovery to make it four wins from five in Division One.

The Oakleafers led 0-11 to 0-7 at half time after playing with the aid of whatever breeze that was on offer at Father Tierney Park with Lachlan Murray and Shane McGuigan carrying the Derry cause on the scoring front.

Despite playing against the wind in the second half, it was Derry who edged the exchanges with Lachlan Murray and Shane McGuigan landing two-pointers of their own before Conor Glass was slipped through by Ethan Doherty before shooting low beyond Sean Patton to the back of the net.

Paddy Tally's side led 1-18 to 0-13 with 15 minutes remaining on the clock and were dealt a hammer blow with an injury to Rogers dealing a significant blow to their cause.

The hosts hit an unanswered 1-6 as Shane O'Donnell played a neat one-two with Michael Murphy to hit the roof of the net to put three between them.

Thompson quickly followed with a two-pointer before a Ciaran Moore point and two from Conor O'Donnell sealing a win for Donegal to leave Derry with a slim chance of retaining their top-tier status despite being league champions.

The two sides will meet in Ballybofey on 6 April in the preliminary round of the Ulster senior football championship.

Kieran Lynch
BBC Sport NI contributor at the Athletic Grounds

Image source, Getty Images

Armagh claimed a crucial two points at the Athletic Grounds on Saturday night with a 1-20 to 1-12 victory over Dublin.

Conor Turbitt top-scored for the victors with 0-6 whilst Andrew Murnin impressed in a deeper role and Greg McCabe stormed forward from defence, contributing three points.

Armagh's start could hardly have been any better, as they had 1-9 on the scoreboard before Dublin raised their first white flag of the evening.

Turbitt led the way with three of those points while his Clann Eireann clubmate Barry McCambridge found the net on 16 minutes – drilling his shot into the bottom corner after a pinpoint pass from Ethan Rafferty.

Turbitt could have had two goals himself, but he had one effort blocked by full back Theo Clancy, and another shot saved by Evan Comerford at point-blank range.

The Dubs struggled to make much headway in attack in the first half, with just three points scored via Con O'Callaghan, Brian Howard and Luke Breathnach.

Armagh pushed themselves 15 points ahead early in the second half, but Dublin rattled off 1-7 without reply to pull themselves back into the contest. O'Callaghan hit five points during this period and set up Lorcan O'Dell's goal.

However, Armagh steadied the tide with a score from McCabe and grabbed four of the last six points of the day to see out the win.

The result moves them three points above the relegation zone with Tyrone and Derry still to play on Sunday.