Fire Stop and Seal Antrim Senior camogie championship final
Loughgiel 4-13 Ballycastle 0-6
Loughgiel who completed a Four-In-A-Row of senior titles with their win over Ballycastle in Creggan. Pic by Dylan McIlwaine
By Seamus McAleenan
When Racquel Murphy pointed a 45 in first half injury time, it meant that all six starting forwards for Loughgiel had found the target and the holders held a 3-6 to 0-2 lead over a young Ballycastle side that couldn’t make inroads at the other end of the pitch.
And experience had a key role to play in the game as Loughgiel went on to complete their four-in-a-row and lift the O’Duffy Cup for the 20th time.
They were able to close out their opponents with only 16 year old Maeve Kelly after 20 minutes and Kathryn Donnelly five minutes from time managing to raise a Ballycastle flag from open play.
At the other end there were too many options for Ballycastle to close out, with Lucia McNaughton emerging as Player of the Match after plundering 1-3.
Despite a good opening quarter from the Ballycastle defence, Loughgiel’s first two scores were goals, from Aisling McFadden after five minutes and Chloe Higgins seven minutes later.
Points from Caoimhe Wright and Maeve Kelly cut the deficit to 2-1 to 0-2 after 20 minutes, but the winners hit another 1-5 before the break, the goal a Lucia McNaughton effort at a point that dipped under the bar into the corner of the net.
Two quick points on the restart from Racquel Murphy were followed by a second yellow and then a red card for Ballycastle midfielder Niamh Donnelly.
However her teammates rallied round and managed to bring their total to six points, before Loughgiel finished with a flurry of 1-2, the goal coming from a volley from Emma McMullan a minute from time.
Loughgiel : Megan Coyle, Aine Connolly, Laura Connolly, Ciara Boyle, Finvola McVeigh, Emma McFadden capt, Maeve Connolly, Christine Laverty, Amy Boyle, Caitrin Dobbin 0-2, Chloe Higgins 1-0, Lucia McNaughton 1-3, Aisling McFadden 1-1, Racquel Murphy 0-6, 0-3 frees, Emma McMullan 1-1.
Sub : Úna McNaughton for A Boyle (45), Maria Lynn for C Boyle, Katie McKillop for M Connolly, Roisin McCormick for C Dobbin, Eimear McGarry for C Laverty (all 53.
Ballycastle: Aoife McGowan, Maria Donnelly, Orla Donnelly, Bronagh McKeague, Catherine McShane, Emma Connor, Cliodhna Donnelly, Niamh Donnelly, Michaela Beattie, Emma Laverty, Kathryn Donnelly 0-1, Rhona Donnelly, Maeve Kelly, Caoimhe Wright 0-4 frees, Aine Donnelly.
Subs : Niamh Anne Donnelly for M Donnelly (46), Méabh O’Neill for C McShane (35).
Referee : Paul O’Neill (Creggan).
Pics by Dylan McIlwaine