Fire Stop and Seal Antrim Senior camogie championship semi-final

Loughgiel 3-18 Cushendall 0-1

From Séamas Mac Giolla Fhinnéin

This was a comfortable performance from the four in a row chasing Loughgiel side who despite ending with a big score struggled to penetrate Cushendall’s hardworking defence particularly during the opening half.

As the game went on they picked off some nice scores and Caitrin Dobbin’s 52^nd minute solo goal was a beauty, but Cushendall deserve a lot of credit for making life difficult for the champions.

No one player stood out for Ruairí Óg, other than perhaps sweeper Colleen Patterson, but they really stuck to their task throughout. They needed scores to reward all that effort, but with the injury to Orlagh O’Hara in the 20^th minute just after she had opened her team’s account they lost the one player capable of tagging on the odd score.

Loughgiel’s half-back line was impressive with Emma McFadden getting up for a 21^st minute point to show her forwards how to score. That made it 1-3 to 0-1, the Shamrocks failing to build on 1-1 in the opening two minutes, the goal finished by Aisling McFadden from a pin-point pass from Caitrin Dobbin.

The second Loughgiel goal arrived from the same combination in the 24^th minute and they led by 2-7 to 0-1 at the break, 2-2 scored by McFadden.

Cushendall’s defence understandably tired during the second half under constant pressure and there was a series of points from the Loughgiel forwards, including one from Racquel McCarry after her entrance as a substitute.

It was 2-14 in the 52^nd minute when Caitrin Dobbin broke the cover and scored a third goal, She also added two further points either side of white flags from corner-back Ciara Boyle and Emma McMullan.

Loughgiel still have a few things to work on, but they are advancing nicely and will be strong favourites to retain their county title.

Loughgiel : Megan Coyle, Aine Connoll, Laura Connolly, Ciara Boyle 0-1, Finvola McVeigh, Emma McFadden 0-1, Maeve Connolly, Christine Laverty, Amy Boyle 0-1, Úna McNaughton, Chloe Higgins 0-1, Lucia McNaughton 0-1, Aisling McFadden 2-4, Emma McMullan 0-5, 0-4 frees, Caitrin Dobbin 1-3.

Sub : Racquel McCarry 0-1 for Ú McNaughton 940).

Cushendall : Noeleen Cosgrove, Soracha Cosgrove, Claire Kearney, Aoife McClafferty, Clodagh McKillop, Sinéad Cosgrove, Aimee McDonnell, Dervla Cosgrove, Nuala McQuilland, Siobhan McKillop, Orlagh O’Hara 0-1 free, Alex McLaughlin, Brogan Abram, Laura McMullan, Colleen Patterson.

Subs : Ellen Leech for O O’Hara (20), Annie Leech for Soracha Cosgrove (HT), Ciara Campbell (52).

Referee : Margaret O’Connell (Portglenone)

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 Photos by Sean Paul McKillop