Antrim Under 14B camogie final
Ruairí Óg Cushendall 1-9 Brídíní Óga Glenravel 2-3
By Seamus McAleenan
The introduction of substitute Niamh McNeill in the second half changed
the course of this very competitive and skilful Under 14 final in
Loughgiel on Saturday morning.
The 11-year-old took over free-taking duties and slotted over two dead
balls before adding a late point from play to seal victory for a
relatively you Ruairí Óg team, many of whom could well add Under 12
honours over the next couple of weeks.
However overall it was a good final and the Glenravel girls certainly
contributed to that and led until five minutes into the second half when
McNeill scored the first of her points.
Niamh Graham lobbed over two early points for Cushendall with an Aisling
Mulholland score sandwiched in between.
After 15 minutes, a Glenravel break saw Clodagh McCusker put through on
goal and, despite losing her stick, the Brídíní Óga forward improvised
well using her football skills to kick the sliotar to the net.
Although the nippy Cara O’Boyle fired over a neat point in reply,
Caitlin McKeown kicked home a similar type goal to McCusker’s soon after
and Brídíní Óga were 2-1 to 0-3 ahead. However just before the break a free into the Glenravel area wasn’t
properly cleared and from the goal-mouth scramble the sliotar was
bundled over the line for a goal with possibly Chloe McAuley the last
one to get a touch.
the course of this very competitive and skilful Under 14 final in
Loughgiel on Saturday morning.
The 11-year-old took over free-taking duties and slotted over two dead
balls before adding a late point from play to seal victory for a
relatively you Ruairí Óg team, many of whom could well add Under 12
honours over the next couple of weeks.
However overall it was a good final and the Glenravel girls certainly
contributed to that and led until five minutes into the second half when
McNeill scored the first of her points.
Niamh Graham lobbed over two early points for Cushendall with an Aisling
Mulholland score sandwiched in between.
After 15 minutes, a Glenravel break saw Clodagh McCusker put through on
goal and, despite losing her stick, the Brídíní Óga forward improvised
well using her football skills to kick the sliotar to the net.
Although the nippy Cara O’Boyle fired over a neat point in reply,
Caitlin McKeown kicked home a similar type goal to McCusker’s soon after
and Brídíní Óga were 2-1 to 0-3 ahead. However just before the break a free into the Glenravel area wasn’t
properly cleared and from the goal-mouth scramble the sliotar was
bundled over the line for a goal with possibly Chloe McAuley the last
one to get a touch.
Early in the second half Cara O’Boyle picked off her second point and
with the introduction of Niamh McNeill and Ellie Jo Butler, Ruairí Óg
had an injection of pace and accuracy in attack. McNeill pointed two
frees and Ellie Jo fired over a good point from play to put them three
points clear.
Emily Sharpe and Síne Woodhouse exchanged points as did Sharpe and
McNeill soon after, but Ruairí Óg were in control now and able to see
out the final few moments and begin their celebrations.
However both sets of players deserve great credit for the standard of
play in the final.
Ruairí Óg : louise Mulholland, Caitlin O’Boyle, Úna McAlister, Clodagh
Toner, Rose Black, Abi McNeill, Erin McCambridge, Orlaith McAlister,
Lara Haughey, Monique O’Boyle, Niamh Graham 0-2, Sine Woodhouse 0-1,
Annie Kearney, Chloe McAuley 1-0, Cara O’Boyle 0-2.
Subs : Niamh McNiell 0-3, 0-2 frees, Ellie Jo Butler, Caoimhe Morgan,
Isabella Black, Maire Claire McAlister, Orlaith McCurry, Orla O’Kane, Clodagh Toner.
Brídíní Óga : Clodagh McPeake, Annie Higgins, Aisling Donnelly, Jessica
McIlhatton, Megan Law, Gemma McPeake, Eibhlin Gould, Caitlin law, Roisin
Mulholland, Aisling Mulholland 0-1, Sarah Fyfe, Clodagh McCusker 1-0,
Caitlin McKeown 1-0, Aisling Duffin, Emily Sharpe 0-2 frees.
Subs : Amy McIlhatton, Eimear Butler, Erin Coulter, Caoimhe Higgins,
Córa Kerr, Toni Kerr, Charlotet McAuley, Aoibhinn McKenna, Niamh Small,
Emer Donnelly, Orla Kelly, Alex Anderson, Cally O’Neill
Pics by Sean Paul McKillop