All Ireland Platinum semi-final
Templeport Co. Cavan
Antrim 2-21 Galway 5:12
(Galway advance on 30m kicks 4-2)
Photographs: Elaine Kelly
By the time the final whistle had gone the Antrim girls were out on their feet. Having given everything on the pitch over the course of the game, extra time and kicks there was nothing left but pride, and they had every right to be proud.
Just before the start of the game the Antrim girls showed their class by giving a guard of honour to the Bronze semi -finalists, Derry won this game having withstood a late Louth comeback to book their All Ireland final place.
From the whistle the Saffrons showed their intent Órlaigh Lennon knocking the ball down to Bronagh McGuinness, who worked the ball to Alex Burns resulting in a fine opening point.
Galway won their kick-out and it was a first test for the Antrim defence. Gemma McGroaty, Erin Duffin and Isabel Thompson were ready for them and the girls soaked up the early pressure a fine save by Emily McCoy was a defensive highlight.
The Antrim midfield started to click with Aileen McDonnell’s runs and Aoife Kelly’s passing the Galway defence was opening up. Órlaigh Lennon’s hold up play was superb as she passed the ball to Ciara Maguire and the number 13 had the nerve to slot it over from a very tight angle.
Antrim had found an outlet with Bronagh McGuinness and captain Tiernach Fegan again finding Ciara Maguire and she was able to add more damage, taking her points well. With Galway now getting a little heavy handed, especially with Orleigh McGuinness, the frees started to mount and up stepped Bronagh McGuinness with a couple of well taken frees.
Galway started to press again but with Gabrielle Monaghan and Sarah O’Neill breaking up good Galway play it wasn’t long before the ball broke to Bronagh McGuinness again who fed it into Órlaigh Lennon who placed Ciara Maguire and Maguire finished off a great build up with the goal it deserved.
Galway were not out of it and in a taste of what was to come in the second half managed to get a goal and a point late on to keep them in touch
Half time Antrim 1-9 Galway 1-2
Galway came flying out of the blocks in the second half with their halftime time team talk appearing to haveworked wonders. In the space of 5 minutes all of Antrim’s good first half work was undone. The momentum was shifting and it was all the Ulster Champions could do to hold on to the lead.
Aileen McDonnell again started to make her runs, scoring and setting up a couple of points which seemed to steady the Antrim ship.
But still Galway came and it was point for point now and it really was the epic battle you would expect for an All Ireland semi-final.
Then it happened Galway broke and scored a well worked goal putting them in the lead for the first time in the match. But the Antrim heads didn’t drop and when the ball came crashing off the Galway crossbar moments later Órlaigh Lennon reacted first and slotted it home for a well-deserved goal!
More points were traded as Antrim took the lead again and as they attempted to finish the game off lost the ball to Galway who had a forward in space one on one and they scored. It looked all over for the Saffron girls but with a never say die attitude they took the game to Galway. With the seconds slipping away Antrim won a free but with a cool head up stepped Bronagh McGuinness to tie the game and send it to Extra time.
In extra time the girls were tiring. It had been a fantastic game of football and no side deserved to lose. Point for point again, there was no sign of any team getting the upper hand and when the final whistle went the teams were level.
FT Antrim 2-21(27) Galway 5-12(27)
It was time for the 30m kicks. Galway had lost the Connacht finals in this manner and it was perhaps that experience that they were able to draw on. Galway held their nerves this time and advance (4-2) to send them into an All Ireland final against Cork.
The journey is over this year for this inspirational group but the management and girls can hold their heads high, Ulster Champions and All Ireland semi-finalists, their achievements have certainly left their mark across the GAA world.
