Antrim Camogie League – Division 1
Ballycastle 2-07 Dunloy 5-15
Dunloy continue their winning start to the 2024 league in a high scoring win over Ballycastle at Pairc MacUílin on Tuesday evening. With the poor weather we have had to endure these past few days this Division 1 clash was changed to the Ballycastle venue as Dunloy’s pitches are currently closed.
Despite that supporters were treated to a highly entertaining and competitive match between the sides with plenty of goals for show.
Dunloy started much the sharper opening a four-point lead with scores from Aine Magill, Eobha McAllister & Nicole McAtamney. The visitors were well on top and extended their advantage with a Katie Molloy goal.
Its was an unfortunate goal for the home side as Aine Magill had her shot on goal well blocked down with the resultant loose ball head towards the line only for Kathryn Donnelly to brilliantly hook it off the line but in doing so caused her to pick up and bad injury in the back of the net.
A blow to the home side after conceding a seven-point lead.
Maeve Kelly did get Ballycastle up and running with two pointed frees but it was goals that costs the home side any chance of getting back into this game. A double of strikes from Katie Molloy and corner forward Aine Magill further extended Dunloy’s lead.
More points were exchanged between the sides through Eobha McAllister (3), Maeve Kelly & Elen McIntosh but again it was Dunloy’s ability to find the back the net that kept them well in control.
A shot from Eimear Johnston found the net to extend the scoring advantage though to Ballycastle credit they never stopped working and the got their due rewards right up on half time through an Elen McIntosh goal.
In the second half Dunloy continued to extend their lead on the score board as they continued off from the first period of the game.
Points from Aine Magill, Eobha McAllister & Nicole McAtamney kept the score board ticking upwards for Dunloy as Ballycastle failed to score in this period. The home side did have plenty of chances but were wasteful hitting 4 wides that on a better day they would have surely converted.
Eobha McAllister put the game to bed for Dunloy with 10 mins to go with a well taken goal finished low to the bottom of the net.
A string of changes for both sides saw the tempo of the game drop as both managements give their panels a good run out.
Towards the end of the game the hard-working Elen McIntosh pointed two really nice scores in between a goal for Ballycastle to put some gloss on the scoreboard but in truth the game was long over at this point.
Ballycastle team
Becky Ellis, Maria Donnelly, Kathryn Donnelly, Aoife Tonner, Fay McIntosh, Niamh Donnelly, Maebh O’Neill, Catherine McShane, Niamh Ann Donnelly, Shannagh Heggarty, Maeve Kelly, Nula Devlin, Fionnula Kelly, Janey McIntosh, Elen McIntosh
Dunloy team
Mary Martin, Sarah McIlhatton, Elis Kearns, Eimear McMullan, Chloe McShane, Katie Laverty, Caitlin Crawford, Eimear Johnston, Katherine Mullan, Caoimhe Molloy, Dearbhail Elliott, Nicole McAtamney, Eobha McAllister, Katie Molloy, Aine Magill