Aontroim v Tír Eoghain U14 Girls Ulster Football ChampionshipPic by Elaine Kelly

Tír Eoghain 2-4 Aontroim 2-8

On a beautiful spring day our young Saffrons travelled to Augher to take on Tyrone in what was a must win match for Antrim. From the start the Antrim girls were on the front foot and an early free followed by a well taken goal from Maria O’Neill put Aontroim 1-1 v 0-0 ahead. The next passage of play saw Aontroim miss several great opportunities to score after creating opportnities. Tyrone then had a quality five minutes in attack but thanks to a robust Aontroim defence they only managed to score a single point. Two more points from Antrim’s Aimee Meenan and Carla McKenna made the score 1-3 v 0-1 at half time.

After the break the Antrim ladies started sharply again with 1-1 from Maria O’Neill sandwiched in between two well taken Niamh McNama points which stretched the Saffrons lead to 2-6 to 0-2. The visitors appeared to be in control, but at this level of football, you can’t take your foot off the gas and that’s what Antrim did as Tyrone came into the game with two quick points followed by an unstoppable goal.

The game was now very much in the balance at 2-6 v 1-4 but another two points from Niamh McNama saw Antrim go 2-8 v 1-4 ahead. Tyrone were not finished there, another well taken goal and it was back to a 4-point game.  There was some anxious moments as Tyrone tried to claw back the deficit but some super defending and goalkeeping from the girls in Saffron saw them over the line to claim a great victory away to Tyrone! Up next is Donegal at home.

Pics by Elaine Kelly