Antrim Ladies Senior Football Championship semi-final
St.Paul’s 5.12 v 2.05 St.Ergnat’s
Report: Terry Cormican
Photographs: Bert Trowlen
Once again St.Paul’s outgunned their country cousins in the senior championship as they took another step towards retaining their trophy. The city side were the stronger team throughout the pitch and in the end had just too much firepower for the St. Ergnat’s ladies. Played at Glenavy the South West side never really got to grips with their opponents.
The game started at a blistering pace with both sides guilty of poor shooting or taking that extra pass when a score was on. St. Paul’s were first to get on the scoresheet with Aine Tubridy splitting the post to be quickly followed by an excellent goal from Niamh Enright. Orlaith Prenter pulled a point back for the side in blue & gold before Kirsty McGuinness got the first of her 2-08 from a placed ball from an acute angle. Moneyglass replied and Orlaith Prenter pulled a point back from open play but it brought about another response from the Shaw’s Road ladies. After great approach work the ball found its way to the impressive Kirsty McGuinness and she gave keeper Anna McCann no chance when she finished to the net.
The Toomebridge side were finding it difficult to penetrate the opposition defence who were outstanding on the night. Orlaith Prenter did break through for a hard earned point but once again Laura O’Neill added to ever increasing tally with a well taken point. The Moneyglass girls never gave up and were rewarded before halftime with two Orlaith Prenter points to leave the halftime score St.Paul’s 2.03 Moneyglass 0.05.
After the break Kirsty McGuinness started where she had left off as she popped over a point from the throw-in. Moneyglass won the resulting kick out with an excellent Laura McCann catch and she quickly played the ball through to Cathy Carey who blasted to the back of the net to raise the St. Ergnat’s hopes, much to the delight of their supporters. With only two points between the sides the game was in the melting pot. Could Moneyglass push on or would St. Paul’s respond?
The red and white hoops showed why they are reigning county champions when they steadied the ship with points from Kirsty McGuinness and Caitlin McGuinness. The lead went out to seven points when Lara Dahunsi, who was having an excellent game, played the ball through to Kirsty McGuinness who once again found the net.
The South West side never gave up when following a swift move from defence Ainee McAtamney won the ball and gave Aisling Healey in St.Paul’s goal no chance with an excellent finish. This proved to be Moneyglass’s final score however as the champions controlled the closing twelve minutes, the City side scoring an impressive 2. 6 with Kirsty McGuinness 1.03, Caitlin McGuinness 1.1, Niamh Enright and Lara Dahunsi all getting scores.
St.Paul’s: Aisling Enright; Rebekah Hemsworth; Emma Kelly; Caoimhe Stewart; Ciara Brown; Saoirse Tennyson; Maria Hanna; Stacy McCann; Aine Tubridy; Lara Dahunsi; Caitlin McGunness; Niamh Enright; Kirsty McGuinness (Kerry McConville); Naoishe Burns; Laura O’Neill.
Panel Danielle Doherty; Seana Moyes; Rebecca McGivern; Eithne Duffy; Niamh Ritchie.
St.Ergnat’s: Anne McCann; Christine McCann; Niamh McIntosh; Saiirse McErlain; Terrie Duffin; Danielle Duffin; Rebecca Bradley; Deirdre O’Kane; Laura McCann; Cliona Griffin; Cathy Carey; Emma Louise McAreavey; Ainee McAtamney; Otlaith Prenter; Bronagh Devlin.
Panel: Katherine Bovill; Gerraldine Campbell; Enya Carey; Marie Dobbin; Eleanor Mallon; Sarah McCann; Mary McCormick; Katie Scullion; Aine Devlin; Molly Dixon; Beverley Graffin; Mollie Higgins; Niamh Martin; Anne Marie McCormack; Judie McCoy; Megan McGlinchy; Niamh McKeefry; Maria O’Neill; Orla Rooney; Callin Weir.
Referee Brendan Toland Lamh Dhearg.
St.Joseph’s club apologises to both clubs and supporters for not having the scoreboard working. This was due to a technical hitch.
