Antrim Camogie League – Division 1
Ruairí Óg Cushendall 3-11 Brídíní Óga Glenravel 3-7
Cushendall had much the better start to this Division 1 league game on their home ground, but they found themselves having to work extremely hard to take their first points in the Division.
The home team hit a quick 1-3, two frees from Orlagh O’Hara, a goal created by O’Hara and finished by Ellen Leech and a point from Brogan Abram. But once Brídíní Óga got going they made the game very competitive and certainly were in with a chance of draw right up until the end.
Orlagh O’Hara however was the difference between the teams. In the first half, she was left in one-on-one situations with Bern Convery and took a number of scores. During the second half, her scores were more opportunistic with the Glenravel defence giving her little change.
After that quick 1-3, Laoise McKenna hit in a long ball that Oonagh Ward flicked to the net in the 12th minute. Naomi McCurry responded with a point, Laoise McKenna replied to that, and, although Orlagh O’Hara pointed again for a 1-5 to 1-0 lead, Brídíní Óga hit a purple patch with two goals from Ashling Millar and another point from Laoise McKenna between the 16th and 19thminute to go 3-2 to 1-5 ahead.
That lead was short lived however with Orlagh O’Hara flashing a goal home from close range and adding two points for an interval lead of 2-7 to 3-3. At the start of the second half, she pointed two quick frees before the Glenravel side got going again.
Caoimhe McAleenan pointed a free and then Torie Edgar fired over a point from play to reduce the gap to the minimum again.
The result of the game probably hinged on the next score, even though there were still ten minutes to play. Colleen Patterson hit a speculative shot from the roadside wing, which Rachael McBride in the Glenravel goals was only able to block down and the in-rushing Orlagh O’Hara swept it to the net from eight metres.
Although Brídíní Óga responded with a long range effort from Caoimhe McAleenan and an angled shot from Torie Edgar they couldn’t get close enough for a goal in reply and Brogan Abram put the game safe for Cushendall with a delicate late point.
In a good standard game of camogie played with a very competitive edge, there were many pluses from both sides. Young Caoimhe McNaughton and Aoife McClafferty continue to impress in the corners, Laura McMullan used her experience well to cover the space at central defence and Colleen Patterson, Dervla Cosgrove and of course Orlagh O’Hara caused problems when the Dall were moving forward.
For the visitors, Eimhear McAleenan, Ellen Hynds and Sian McNeill impressed at the back, Laoise McKenna and Caoimhe McAleenan moved a lot of ball in the middle third, while all their forwards threatened at times but finding a consistency in scoring will be the team’s main challenge in a season in which they are settling well in the top flight.
Ruairí Óg : Noeleen Cosgrove, Caoimhe McNaughton, Claire Kearney, Aoife McClafferty, Clodagh McKillop, Laura McMullan, Nuala McQuillan, Dervla Cosgrove 0-1 free, Siobhán McKillop, Colleen Patterson, Sinead Cosgrove, Naomi McCurry 0-1, Ellen Leech 1-0, Orlagh O’Hara 2-7, 0-3 frees, Brogan Abram 0-2.
Brídíní Óga : Rachael McBride, Sian McNeill, Bern Convery, Lianne Kerr, Kirsten Edgar, Ellen Hynds, Eimhear McAleenan capt., Caoimhe McAleenan 0-3, 0-2 frees, Laoise McKenna 0-2, Torie Edgar 0-2, Shauna Kelly, Kirsty Laverty, Ashling Millar 2-0, Oonagh Ward 1-0, Joanne McKeown
Subs : Leona Traynor for J McKeown, Úna McAleenan for B Convery.
Referee : John McNenry (Ballycastle)
Pics by Sean Paul McKillop