Shane O'Neills of Camloch made history on 26 September, winning their first ever Armagh senior ladies football championship with a 2-18 to 0-10 victory over Crossmaglen Rangers at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.
Goalkeeper Bríanna Mathers, who has also established herself as Armagh's first-choice netminder this season, told RTE.ie that the club's breakthrough was years in the making. The win earns Shane O'Neills a first ever appearance in the Ulster LGFA senior club championship.
How Shane O'Neills Beat Crossmaglen in the Armagh Final
Aimee Mackin, the reigning TG4 Senior Players' Player of the Year nominee who previously won the award in 2020, delivered a 1-12 haul that settled any suggestion of big-day nerves. Crossmaglen had beaten Shane O'Neills convincingly at the quarter-final stage on their way to last year's final, but the Camloch side refused to let history repeat.
Shane O'Neills came under pressure in the opening period when Blaithín Mackin, Aimee's sister, spent 10 minutes in the sin bin. Mathers said the team simply concentrated on staying in the game during that spell.
“I suppose whenever Blaithín went off for the 10 minutes, we were probably just conscious of keeping in the game and we did. I think Cross only ever really drew with us and I think once she came back on, we really all pushed as a team. Kept playing until the final whistle,” Mathers said.
She was quick to point out the significance of the occasion for a club breaking new ground.
“That was our first ever senior final. The girls won intermediate 10 years ago, but I was 14, so I actually wasn't on the panel. They went on to win Ulster as well and get to the All-Ireland final. This was our first ever senior final. To be in your first final and win it is great,” Mathers acknowledged.
A First Senior Title a Decade in the Making
Shane O'Neills last tasted county final success a decade ago, winning the intermediate grade in 2016's predecessor campaign, which was followed by an Ulster IFC triumph. That memorable run ended with a narrow All-Ireland intermediate final defeat to Galway's Annaghdown at Parnell Park on 4 December 2016.
Mathers, still working through the juvenile ranks at the time, carried water for the team during that journey. The experience stayed with her.
“I was water girl for the Ulster and then I remember for the All-Ireland final in Parnell Park, I was water girl for it as well. They were unfortunate that day. I think all any player wants is to win a county championship with their club. To be able to have done that is great,” she said.
This year finally brought a full panel together after five or six seasons disrupted by injuries and players' other commitments. Mathers said the group set their sights early on.
“At the start of the year we really gathered ourselves up and said 'this is definitely our year'. We took our chance and it worked,” she said.
From Full-Forward to Number One: Mathers' Unusual Path
Mathers' own route to the goals is a story in itself. A forward until her mid-teens, she was placed between the posts at 16 and admits she did not enjoy the change at first. She had even returned to an outfield role, playing full-forward in the club's last two championship campaigns.
“I played forward right up until I was probably 15, 16. Then I was put in goals at 16. To be honest, didn't really like it at the start. The last two championships actually for the club, I played full-forward,” she said.
The return of the two Mackin sisters to the club setup solved the selection dilemma in 2026.
“I suppose this year I really said I'm going to try and be nets, see how it goes. It worked out well because you'd the two Mackins coming back in. They didn't need me outfield!”
Ulster Senior Club Championship Debut Begins This Weekend
The Armagh title win means Shane O'Neills will compete in the Ulster LGFA senior club football championship for the first time. Their arrival coincides with a new format in the north, with teams placed in three groups of three instead of traditional knockout games.
The Camloch outfit begin away to Knockbride of Cavan this weekend, before welcoming Derry's Steelstown to home soil on 25 October. Knockbride have already beaten Steelstown, so a fast start matters.
“It's great. I've never played in an Ulster club campaign. It's really exciting because you don't know what to expect, but you're playing the best of the best. You know it's going to be good quality games,” Mathers said.
“This is the first year I think they've done the group games. We'll be wanting to get a win this Sunday. It sets you up better for the week after.”
If Shane O'Neills were to follow Lurgan's Clann Eireann, winners of the last two Ulster senior titles in 2023 and 2024, it would cap an extraordinary year for the club and its goalkeeper.
A Breakthrough Year With Armagh as Well
Mathers has also made her mark at inter-county level. After several seasons as understudy to Anna Carr, she started 13 of Armagh's 14 competitive fixtures in 2026 and helped the Orchard County preserve their Lidl National Football League Division 1 status, win the TG4 Ulster senior championship, and reach the All-Ireland senior semi-final, where they fell to eventual winners Galway.
Her performances have earned nominations for an Irish News Ulster All-Star and a TG4 All-Star.
“This was my first full year starting with Armagh. The league, we were happy to stay in Division One and then it's good to win another Ulster. The All-Ireland campaign was good until we got to the semi-final. It was a tough day out against Galway,” Mathers added.
“Especially after just my first year being in, to get recognised is nice. To see the hard work is paying off.”
FAQ
When did Shane O'Neills win the Armagh senior football championship?
Shane O'Neills beat Crossmaglen Rangers 2-18 to 0-10 in the Armagh senior ladies football final on 26 September 2026 at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds.
Who is Bríanna Mathers?
Bríanna Mathers is the Shane O'Neills and Armagh goalkeeper who became Armagh's first-choice netminder in 2026, starting 13 of their 14 competitive fixtures and earning TG4 All-Star and Irish News Ulster All-Star nominations.
When does Shane O'Neills' Ulster championship campaign begin?
Shane O'Neills begin their first ever Ulster LGFA senior club championship campaign away to Knockbride of Cavan this weekend, then host Steelstown of Derry on 25 October.