Gaelic Games

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI contributor at McQuillan Park

Image source, Inpho

Dunloy joint-manager Shane Elliott expressed his 'pride' and 'relief' after his side defeated Cushendall 1-19 to 1-13 to claim their first Antrim Senior Hurling Championship title since 2022.

Ciaran Elliott's first-half goal helped Dunloy establish a lead they would not relinquish at Ballycastle, despite a late goal from Cushendall's Neil McManus.

The victory also avenged Dunloy's defeat by their familiar rivals in the 2024 decider.

"Relieved. To think 2022, four years is a long time for our club; there's massive expectations," Elliott told BBC Sport NI.

"We sort of start every year thinking we're going to win championships, but it doesn't really work like that.

"[There's a] massive sense of relief, but a real sense of pride in terms of how the boys dug it out. It wasn't pretty at times, but we dug it out and got over the line eventually."

Elliott praised his side's response after a frantic opening, with Dunloy taking control during a dominant spell midway through the first half.

"The first ten minutes was helter-skelter stuff, as a championship [final] is," he said.

"Then we dominated for a good ten minutes, we got a bit of a push on and went six or seven up.

"We were very content at half-time. We felt our work rate was excellent, our use of the ball, all the things we were looking for."

Despite McManus finding the net late on, Elliott insisted he remained confident his side would see out the victory.

"I never actually felt we looked like losing the match, if I'm being honest," he added.

"We always kept that five, six points ahead. If they got a point, we went back up the field and got a point.

"You're never comfortable until the whistle goes, but in the last ten minutes, we showed a great deal of composure on the ball."

Dunloy now turn their attention to an Ulster semi-final against Down champions Portaferry on 15 November.

"The boys will enjoy themselves tonight. We haven't even thought about Portaferry, to be brutally honest," Elliott said.

"But we'll be ready to go in two weeks."

Image source, Inpho

Defending champions Moneyglass and Donaghmoyne will meet in the final of the Ulster Ladies Club Football Championship.

Antrim's Moneyglass scored an emphatic 6-20 to 1-5 win over Derry champions, Steelstown Brian Og with Maria O'Neill in fine form.

Monaghan's Donaghmoyne are back in the final for the first time since 2022 as they were 4-8 to 1-8 winners over Cavan's Knockbride with Cora Courtney netting twice, while Aoife Burns and Rosemary Courtney were also in fine form.

All-Ireland champions Kilkerrin-Clonberne are through to the Connacht final thanks to a 3-13 to 0-7 win over Leitrim's Glencar Manorhamilton

The Galway side, bidding for a sixth All-Ireland title in a row, were nine clear at the break thanks to goals from Niamh Divilly and Louise Ward, while Ailish Morrissey hit the net in the second period as they advanced into a ninth-stright Connacht final.

Mayo's Knockmore will provide the opposition as they were 1-8 to 0-10 winners over Boyle from Roscommon.

Reigning Leinster champions Kilmacud Crokes are through to their provincial final for a fifth-straight time as they raced to a 4-18 to 0-5 semi-final win over Louth's Naomh Padraig.

The Dublin club will face Longford Slashers who were 5-12 to 0-11 winners over Wicklow's Tinahely in the other semi-final.

In the Ulster intermediate championship, Donegal's Naomh Columba and Monaghan's Truagh Gaels are through to the final, while in the junior grade, Tyrone's Sperrin Og will meet Ederney of Fermanagh in the final.

John McGovern
BBC Sport NI contributor in Newry

Image source, Inpho

Edendork manager Brian McGuckin praised his side's endurance after they overcame a demanding eight-day turnaround to defeat Clonduff 0-17 to 0-12 in the preliminary round of the Ulster Club Senior Football Championship.

The Tyrone champions secured their first provincial victory just eight days after defeating Errigal Ciaran in a county final replay to claim their maiden senior championship title.

McGuckin acknowledged the demanding schedule had taken its toll but was delighted with his players' efforts following a short turnaround.

McGuckin said he was "delighted", adding: "But we have a big game next week, and we're representing not only our own club, but we're also representing the whole of Tyrone.

"So, we wanted to go out tonight and put on a performance. Our key all week was to recover and to be as prepared as we possibly could.

"I have to admit, we were running on fumes there, I would imagine, with the last five or 10 minutes, but we're delighted with the victory."

Edendork led by four points at half-time before extending their advantage to seven in the second period, although Clonduff rallied late on.

McGuckin felt his side improved after the interval despite identifying areas of concern in their opening-half display.

"I was content enough with our first-half performance, but obviously we could identify quite a few areas that needed to improve on," he said.

"We breached a couple of times; we were getting turned over on the tackle.

"Things like that we just simply weren't happy about. We addressed it at half-time, and I think we've seen a better performance in the second half."

Edendork now face Antrim champions St Brigid's in the quarter-final on 8 November, with McGuckin concerned about injuries following another physically demanding encounter.

"It's taken its toll on us. We probably had a couple of injuries out of that game," he added.

"It's tough to go on. Next week will be our fourth game in a row, but you can't beat momentum either."

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Kilkenny's seven-time All-Ireland winner TJ Reid has announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.

Reid joined Kilkenny's senior panel in 2007 and went on to win 14 Leinster senior titles, five National Hurling League medals and seven All-Star awards.

The 38-year-old was named hurler of the year in 2015 and also became the all-time leading scorer in senior hurling championship history with 43 goals and 672 points.

"TJ Reid has given extraordinary service to Kilkenny hurling over almost twenty years. His achievements speak for themselves, but it is the manner in which he represented Kilkenny, his commitment to the jersey, and the standards he set throughout his career that will leave a lasting impression," Kilkenny GAA Chairman PJ Kenny said in a statement.

"He has been a wonderful ambassador for Kilkenny GAA and a firm favourite with our supporters, who have enjoyed so many memorable moments thanks to his exceptional talent.

"On behalf of Kilkenny GAA, I want to sincerely thank TJ for everything he has given to our county."

The Shamrocks Ballyhale clubman also won six All-Ireland Senior Club titles and 13 Kilkenny Senior Hurling Championship medals.

"After 20 seasons in black and amber, I have decided to bring my Kilkenny senior hurling career to an end," Reid posted on social media.

"Walking away from something that has been such a huge part of my life is not easy, but I leave with immense pride and no regrets.

"When I first wore the Kilkenny jersey in 2007, I never imagined I would still be representing my county two decades later. It has been the greatest privilege of my life."

Image source, Getty Images

Tyrone's Conor McKenna has signed a two-year contract extension with Australian Football League side Brisbane Lions.

The 30-year-old half-back joined the Lions in 2023 and helped the Queensland side win the Premiership title in 2024 and 2026.

The Eglish native previously had a five-year spell with Essendon before returning home to help Tyrone win the All-Ireland SFC title in 2021.

This year, McKenna helped the Lions clinch a third straight Premiership title with victory over the Fremantle Dockers in the AFL Grand Final at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The Lions have also tied Lincoln McCarthy and Darcy Fort down to contract extensions.

"It is fantastic to have Darcy, Conor and Linc committed to the Brisbane Lions as they have all played an important role in our success and will continue to do so," said Lions general manager Danny Daly.

"All three offer plenty on field as players, and their experience and leadership are also incredibly valuable - especially in supporting our younger players.

"We look forward to having all three players and their families continue to be part of the Brisbane Lions."