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Forkhill paratriathlete Rosie Tennyson has been named as one of the Founding Ambassadors for the newly formed Ulster Sports Legacy. The role recognises her achievements in sport and her journey in paratriathlon.
Tennyson recently attended a launch event at Studio Ulster in Belfast, where she joined other ambassadors including Nigel Carr, Willie John McBride, Peter Canavan, Marissa Callaghan and Mike Bull.
Speaking about her new role, Tennyson said: "I'm absolutely delighted and incredibly proud to become one of the Founding Ambassadors for the Ulster Sports Legacy.
"Sport has given me so many opportunities and has been such an important part of my life. I'm really looking forward to sharing my journey, inspiring others and helping to celebrate the incredible sporting legacy we have here."
She will help champion the legacy of sport across Northern Ireland and inspire others through her story, determination and achievements. As a Founding Ambassador, she will also help promote the values of inclusion, resilience and participation, encouraging the next generation to get involved in sport and reach for their goals.
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Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, in partnership with Netball NI, hosted a Walking Netball Tournament at Down Leisure Centre in Downpatrick on 7 October. Six teams took part, with players travelling from within the district and further afield. Banbridge team The Bann Ballers were crowned overall tournament winners.
The Downpatrick event followed the Council’s Be Active for Life Walking Netball sessions at Down Leisure Centre, which have helped introduce many local women to the sport. Walking netball is a slower-paced, low-impact version of the game that makes it easier for people of all ages and abilities to get involved, stay active and enjoy the social benefits of sport.
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna said: “We were delighted to welcome teams from across Northern Ireland to Downpatrick for this tournament. The event showed how sport can create inclusive opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and levels of experience to get active and enjoy friendly competition. We hope it will encourage more women to discover walking netball and become involved in the sport within their local communities.”
A ‘Shooter of the Tournament’ competition was also held, with each team nominating three players to take part. Following a shoot-off between the highest scorers from each team, Sandra Davidson from The Duffers, Carryduff, was named the overall winner.
Lisa Rickett, Head of Development at Netball NI, said: “Walking netball continues to grow in popularity across Northern Ireland because it provides a fun, inclusive and accessible way for people to participate in sport. We are pleased to partner with the Council to deliver events such as this, not only providing an enjoyable competition, but also fostering friendships, teamwork and a lifelong enjoyment of physical activity.”
Members of the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Cardiac Rehabilitation Team based at the Downe Hospital were also in attendance. Cardiac Rehabilitation Physiotherapist Alanna Rogan spoke to participants about the importance of heart health and highlighted how regular physical activity, including walking netball, can support overall cardiovascular wellbeing.
The event comes at a time of growing interest in walking netball locally, with five teams recently travelling to Jersey to compete in a tournament there.
Anyone interested in trying walking netball, regardless of fitness level, ability or age, can take part in the Council’s Be Active for Life sessions, which take place at Down Leisure Centre every Wednesday from 11am until noon. To book a place, download the NMD Be Active app and select the Be Active for Life tile, or contact Down Leisure Centre for further information. Those who would like to get involved in walking netball in other locations within the district can register their interest by emailing leisureandsport@nmandd.org.
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It was a case of ‘first time’s a charm’ for goalkeeper Bríanna Mathers and Shane O’Neills at the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds on September 26 as the debut finalists from Camloch made an historic breakthrough against Crossmaglen Rangers in the Armagh senior football championship.
Thanks in no small part to a 1-12 haul from current TG4 Senior Players’ Player of the Year nominee Aimee Mackin (who previously won the award back in 2020), Shane O’Neills dismissed any notion of big day jitters by recording a 2-18 to 0-10 victory. Crossmaglen had convincingly overcome Shane O’Neills at the quarter-final stage before making it all the way to last year’s showpiece, but Mathers and her team-mates dug deep to ensure they claimed top senior honours in the Orchard County.
Shane O’Neills had come under some pressure in the opening period when Mackin’s sister Blaithín spent 10 minutes in the sin bin, but the longer the game wore on, the more their character shone through.
“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.
“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.
“I think this is the first year in about five or six years that we’ve had a full panel. Due to injuries and other girls’ commitments. 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.”
As Mathers mentioned above, Shane O’Neills achieved county final success a decade ago by winning at the intermediate grade.
This was followed up by an Ulster IFC triumph, before Shane O’Neills lost out narrowly to Galway’s Annaghdown in the AIB All-Ireland intermediate club football championship final at Parnell Park on December 4, 2016. Even though she was still working her way up through the juvenile ranks of the club at that point, Mathers lent a helping hand during their memorable journey to a national decider and was inspired to push on her own game as a result.
“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.”
Up to that stage in her football development, Mathers was more accustomed to being selected as a forward. It wasn’t until her later teenage years that she started to make the transition to being a netminder and while she had returned to an outfield role with Shane O’Neills in recent seasons, 2026 has seen her back between the sticks.
“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.
“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!”
In addition to being crowned as the top team in Armagh, last month’s final win over Crossmaglen also means Shane O’Neills will compete in the Ulster LGFA senior club football championship for the very first time.
Their arrival onto the provincial scene has coincided with a brand-new format for the competition in the north with teams now placed into three groups of three rather than traditional knockout games.
That means Shane O’Neills will begin their Ulster campaign away to Knockbride of Cavan tomorrow, before welcoming Derry’s Steelstown to their home patch on October 25. Given Knockbride have already recorded a victory against Steelstown, the Camloch outfit will be looking to hit the ground running this weekend.
“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.
“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 in the footsteps of Lurgan’s Clann Eireann (winners in 2023 and 2024) and secure an Ulster senior club title, it could be a nice bonus in what has already been a memorable year all round for Mathers.
After being on the panel for a number of years as an understudy to Anna Carr, this season saw Mathers establishing herself as the first-choice goalkeeper for Armagh at inter-county level.
Starting in 13 of the 14 competitive fixtures they played in 2026, she helped the Orchard to preserve their Lidl National Football League Division 1 status, win the TG4 Ulster senior football championship and reach the semi-final stage of the TG4 All-Ireland senior football championship.
Even allowing for the fact their summer campaign ended in a last-four defeat to eventual winners Galway, it was a massive year for Mathers with Armagh. Thanks to the high quality of her performances as the last line of defence, she recently 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.”
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History was made for Shane O'Neill's senior ladies as they ran out in their first ever Ulster Senior Championship game in Cavan yesterday but sadly even with three goals, the result didn't go their way.
After winning their first ever Senior County Championship in September with a resounding win over Crossmaglen hopes were high that this could be the year but Cavan champions Knockbride, last year’s All-Ireland Intermediate Champions, had a different idea with a thrilling game ending Knockbride 1-19 to Shane O'Neill's 3-10.
Next up for Shane's is a home fixture against Derry side Steelstown this Sunday 25 October.
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Pupils from 23 schools took part in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s annual Be Active P7 school’s cross-country event at Kilbroney Forest Park, Rostrevor earlier this month. A total of 285 Primary 7 pupils represented their schools, with Eoin Veldrick of St Clare’s Abbey PS, Newry, finishing second in the boys’ individual race. St Patrick’s Primary School, Crossmaglen, took the boys’ team title, while Carrick Primary School, Burren, won the girls’ team prize.
Council Chairperson, Councillor Glyn Hanna, congratulated all pupils on their efforts and achievements.
“The annual cross-country event continues to be a highlight of the school sporting calendar and it was wonderful to see so many pupils enjoying the opportunity to compete, socialise and be active. The effort and commitment shown by every child is to be commended. Whether they crossed the finish line first or challenged themselves to complete the course, every young person should be proud of their achievement.”
Cllr Hanna added: “I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Athletics NI for its valuable support in helping deliver this year’s event. Thanks also to the participating schools, staff, parents and Newry, Mourne and Down District Council officers whose dedication to this event make it such a success.”
The day began with a musical warm up, building excitement among pupils, teachers and supporters ahead of the races. Competitors then took on the cross country course through the park’s lower meadow in the girls’ and boys’ races, showing determination and excellent sporting spirit.
It was a breezy day with an occasional light shower, although conditions remained largely dry. The ground was soft underfoot, which added an extra challenge to the course. With individual and team honours up for grabs, pupils gave their best efforts whilst cheering on their fellow competitors from the 23 schools taking part.
In the girls’ individual race, Emily McGreevy of Glasswater Primary School, Crossgar, finished first, followed by Sophia Murtagh of Ballyholland PS in second and Meabh Murtagh of Carrick Primary School, Burren, in third. Carrick Primary School, Burren, won the girls’ team event, with St Patrick’s Primary School, Crossmaglen, second and St Brigid’s PS Glassdrummond third.
In the boys’ individual race, Manus Bellew of St Patrick’s PS, Crossmaglen, took first place. Eoin Veldrick of St Clare’s Abbey PS, Newry, was second and Aidan Mc Cullagh of St Micheal’s PS, Finnis, was third. St Patrick’s Primary School, Crossmaglen, won the boys’ team event, with St Brigid’s PS, Glassdrummond, in second. Dromintee Primary School and Carrick PS, Burren, finished joint third.
Medals and trophies were presented to the top individuals and teams in recognition of their performances.
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