Antrim Doherty Woodshavings Junior Championship semi-final
Brídíní Óga Glenravel 2-10 Creggan 1-8
By Seamus McAleenan
TWO goals midway through the second half from Oonagh Ward have brought Brídíní Óga Glenravel back into the Antrim Doherty Woodshavings Junior Championship final for the third time in four seasons.
Those scores pulled the Glenravel girls clear in a tightly fought game that went point for point up until the first of the goals in the 38th minute. Thereafter they had the composure to shut down at the back and wind down the clock as Creggan threw everything at them.
It was no surprise that the teams finished on 0-6 each after the opening half because exchanges were very intense and both defences were on top.
Creggan’s six came from Susan McElwee, 0-4 including two frees, Fiona Maguire and Martine McCann while there were two points each for Glenravel’s Oonagh Ward, Aimee Traynor and free-taker Niamh Donnelly.
Although Creggan got the first score of the second half – another Susan McElwee point, Brídíní Óga hit back with Oonagh Ward pointing and then picking up a pass from Niamh Donnelly to force the first goal of the night.
Donnelly tapped over a free and then came the key score in the 47th minute when Ward forced home her second goal after good work from Niamh McKay, and Aimee Traynor added a point to open up an 8 points’ gap.
That was enough to see them over the line despite a late Creggan goal from Kelly Mulholland.
Brídíní Óga : Megan McKillop, Ashling Mulvenna, Caroline Donnelly capt, Lauren Edgar, Dara Martin, Maria McKenna, Leona Traynor, Beth McAuley, Úna McAleenan, Niamh Donnelly (0-3 frees), Niamh McKay (0-1), Eimear Higgins, Aimee Traynor (0-3), Oonagh Ward (2-3), Sabrina Spiers.
Subs : Niamh McKendry for D Martin, Maeve Mulholland for E Higgins, Gemma McKeown, Alishia McPeake.
Creggan : Claire McElwee, Sile Murray, Ruby Marie Rice, Megan Nelson, Fiona Maguire (0-1 free), Aoife McAteer, Martine McCann (0-1), Anita McAuley, Mia Quinn, Susan McIlwee (0-6, 0-2 frees), Kelly Mulholland (1-0), Alicia McAuley, Laura McCann, Marie Carey.
Subs : Caoimhe McAteer for M Carey, M Carey for C McAteer, Emma Bride for S Murray.
Referee : Fionntán Mac Oitir
Pics by John McIlwaine