TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship: Group B-  Round One

Derry 2-08-1-13 Antrim

From Kevin Herron at Lissan

Antrim ladies made a winning start to their TG4 All-Ireland junior campaign after a hard fought 1-13-2-08 victory over Derry in Lissan this afternoon.

Missing four-regulars from their Ulster Final win in Clones two weeks ago; the Saffrons anticipated a tough encounter and that’s just what they got.

Despite racing into four lead at the beginning of each half – the Oakleafers refused to throw in the towel and it wasn’t until a goal from substitute Mairiosa McGourty that the Ulster Champions began to pull clear.

Leading by eight-points it appeared as though the Saffrons were poised for victory but a late sting saw referee Paul Burke twice signal for a penalty – on each occasion Ciara Moore converted to set-up a grandstand finish.

The visitors lost Emma Kelly and Caitlin Taggart but were able to hang on and claim a crucial win which may just earn a semi-final spot next month.

Antrim came into the game off the back of a stunning comeback win against Fermanagh to clinch the Ulster title – but were without the services of captain Saoirse Tennyson, Aine Tubridy, Mairead Cooper and Niamh Enright- all starters in that win, as well as Magee sisters Emma and Michelle.

Played under the blistering sunshine in Lissan it was Antrim who forged ahead through a fine Caitlin Taggart point.

Cathy Carey converted a free and almost provided the opening goal of the game – slipping the ball into the path of Aoife Taggart whose shot was blocked down and Taggart instead elected to find sister Caitlin who claimed her second point of the afternoon.

An angled free from Lara Dahunsi had the visitors 0-04-0-00 ahead after ten minutes but Derry hit back.

Ciara Moore got her side off the mark with converted frees either side of the midway point and Nicole Nugent’s venture out of defence resulted in the hosts first score from play the make it a one-point game with 20 minutes gone (0-04-0-03).

Both sides were guilty of squandering a few opportunities in front of the posts – though Derry were very much in the ascendancy heading for the break and levelled through a fine point from midfielder Danielle Kivlehan.

But Antrim would regain their lead at the interval as Caitlin Taggart converted a free in front of posts to give her side a slender 0-05-0-04 lead.

Derry had the better of the opening exchanges at the beginning of the second-half and pulled level through an Aoife Laverty point from a tight angle.

Though just as the opening half – Antrim opened up a four point lead, with the all the scores arriving from a St James’ trio.

Despite Caitlin Taggart twice firing off target in the opening exchanges – sister Aoife edged the Saffrons ahead for the third time in proceedings.

Caitlin then atoned for her two earlier misses; converting a free and then producing a fabulous point from play.

In the blink of an eye it was 0-09-0-05 as Nicole Jones split the posts for her first point of the afternoon to join her club-mates on the score sheet.

Derry hit back and halved the deficit midway through the second-half – Ciara Moore played a one-two with the large post and registered her third point of the afternoon.

A second point then followed from Aoife Laverty as the hosts determination kept them firmly in contention.

Antrim manager Sean O’Kane decided to introduce Mairiosa McGourty from the bench and it wasn’t long before the St Galls forward made her presence felt.

Upon her introduction- McGourty seized a poor kick from Derry goalkeeper Kathryn Connery, Connery made herself big and looked to have done enough to pressure McGourty – but the 27-year old lofted the ball into the net to open up a five-point advantage with 12 minutes remaining (1-09-0-07).

Confidence was high amongst the Saffrons ranks in the aftermath as Cathy Carey tagged on successive points; a fine angled point and a converted free from range.

Aoife Taggart and Lara Dahunsi added further scores and with six-minutes remaining, it looked to be game over with the visitors holding a nine-point lead (1-13-0-07).

Derry were in urgent need of a goal – though their next score was a point courtesy of Clodagh Laverty.

However with two minutes remaining a goal chance arrived after referee Paul Burke adjudged there to have been a push in the back in the Antrim area and signalled for a penalty.

Ciara Moore twice missed a penalty in the sides last clash in the Ulster semi-final last month – but made no mistake on this occasion – powerfully firing past Anna McCann to make it 1-13-1-08.

Antrim still had five points to spare with four minutes of injury-time remaining – though they were rocked a minute into injury-time as referee Burke awarded Derry a second penalty for an alleged foot-block from Emma Kelly who was sin-binned as a result.

Moore stepped forward again and despite Anna McCann getting fingertips to the shot – the half forward’s shot found the net to set-up a grandstand finish.

With a numerical advantage and all the momentum – it was Derry who pressed for the winner and almost clinched it as a high ball into the edge of the square fell nicely for Danielle Kivlehan who went through one-on-one, but shot a matter of inches wide of the post.

Antrim played the possession game in the dying embers though were reduced to 13-players as Caitlin Taggart received a yellow-card, there was barely enough time for Derry to further capitalise as referee Burke blew his full-time whistle to the relief of the Saffron contingent.

With a two-week break coming up – manager Sean O’Kane will hope his squad will be close to full strength by the time they host familiar foes Fermanagh in clash that will no doubt determine the final standings in Group B.

Derry: K Connery, N Nugent (0-01), C Glass, N Browne, G Conway, O McEvoy, A Frizelle, D Kivlehan (0-01), A McGough, A Laverty (0-02), C Moore (2-03, 2-02f), C McGurk, C Laverty (0-01), D Donnelly, K Holly. Subs: A Crozier for O McEvoy (41 mins); C Lynn for D Donnelly (53 mins); L McIlroy for C Laverty (57 mins).

Antrim: A McCann, S Haughey, E Kelly, O Corr, N Webb, C Brown, K Farren, A McFarland, C Carey (0-03, 0-02f), C Taggart (0-05, 0-02f), M Hanna, N Jones (0-01), N Killen, L Dahunsi (0-02), A Taggart (0-02). Subs: J McNulty for O Corr (33 mins); M McGourty (1-00) for N Jones (48 mins).

Referee: Paul Burke (Louth)