Littlewoods Ireland National Camogie League Division 2 Katie McAleese who hit six points in Antrim’s win over Carlow.

Antrim 2-10 Carlow 0-13

By Seamus McAleenan

Despite handing Carlow a number of soft frees to keep them in this Littlewoods Ireland National League Division 2 game in Ahoghill, Antrim did just enough to secure the league points and leave them with a real chance of making the play-offs.

In many ways it was a strange game with the visitors only hitting two wides over the hour and in control for periods. However Antrim were able to kick on just before the break and then over the last ten minutes and those periods of pressure were vital to the outcome.

Antrim started well with Christine Laverty bursting forward from the throw-in and earning a free that Katie McAleese converted.

Although Eleanor Tracey pointed in reply, Katie McAleese pointed another free before mishitting one that Orlagh O’Hara rescued with a good point. Then in the ninth minute Lucia McNaughton played a fine pass through to Chloe Draine who lofted the sliotar over the full-back line for Orlagh O’Hara to bury in the net.

Inexplicitly Antrim faded after that and conceded the next five points up to the 22^nd minute with three of those from Tracey frees.

However the Saffrons suddenly woke up in the couple of minutes before the break, Cliodhna Donnelly cutting out a Carlow attack and playing a super diagonal pass to Chloe Draine whose point effort was blocked down by Kate Kinsella into the path of Caoimhe McAleenan to sweep home from close range.

A minute later and another good Antrim move resulted in a point for Lucia McNaughton and the home side went in for the break with a 2-4 to 0-6 lead.

Early in the second half Katie McAleese and Emma Cody swopped points and then Lucia McNaughton tapped over another Antrim point.

However, just as they did during the same spell in the first half, Antrim put themselves on the back-foot by conceding a serious of frees which Tracey converted to narrow the gap on the score-board to 2-6 to 0-11 by the 48^th minute.

But they hit back during the final ten minutes to win with Katie McAleese shooting three points from frees and Orlagh O’Hara picking off another score.

With Westmeath defeating Wexford very easily in their Round 4 game, there is still a lot to play for in the final round of games next weekend.

Cork are unbeaten with four straight wins. Westmeath, with three wins and a draw, have to travel to Cork while Antrim can equal Westmeath’s total if they beat Down at the weekend. Provided Cork and Antrim win those games, there will then be a play-off the following weekend between Antrim and Westmeath.

Antrim : Noeleen Cosgrove, Cliodhna Donnelly, Kathryn Donnelly, Colleen Patterson, Maria Lynn, Aileen McManus, Aine Mulholland, Laoise McKenna, Christine Laverty, Lucia McNaughton 0-2, Katie McAleese 0-6 frees, Caoimhe McAleenan 1-0, Orlagh O’Hara 1-2, Chloe Draine, Siobhán McKillop

Subs: Aine Donnelly for S McKillop (28), Katie McKillop for C Donnelly (44), Caoimhe Wright for C Laverty (50), Dervla Cosgrove for O O’Hara (55).

Carlow : K Kinsella, T Bermingham, Á Nolan, Á Ryan, L Nolan, Á Behan, N Canavan, E Cody 0-3, E Tracey 0-7 frees, M Doyle, M Nolan, R Sawyer, A Breen, K Nolan 0-2, A Cushen 0-1.

Subs : M O’Shea for N Canavan, E Sinnott for Á Behan (53)

Referee : EP Cassidy (Derry)