Antrim Camogie championship
THERE are two more group games tonight in the the Antrim senior camogie championship and, if league form is any kind of guidance, the outcomes are quite predictable.
Ballycastle seemed to be heading to a repeat of last year’s championship defeat to Dunloy last Tuesday evening but somehow scored 1-1 in injury time to snatch a 1-11 to 0-13 victory.
The key players for them in that game were Catherine McShane in her new role as full-back, the impressive Niamh Donnelly at the centre of defence and scoring aces Caoimhe Wright and Maeve Kelly with Danielle McMichael pulling off a couple of key saves to keep her team in contention.
Opponents tonight are Rossa who haven’t won a league game all season. That was the same as last year – yet the Shaw’s Road outfit came within a couple of points of reaching the county final.
Bronagh Orchin is back from injury sustained early in the season to support experienced players such as Natalie McGuinness and Muireann Quinn who were key elements in the club’s All-Ireland success over a decade ago.
Ballycastle will have been lifted by last week’s result and should book a semi-final spot with a victory tonight.
In the other group champions Loughgiel make their first appearance and will visit Portglenone who lost last week to Cushendall despite another mercurial effort from Katie McAleese.
Katie hit 1-7 in that game with goalie Patricia McCarry, Una and Niamh Doherty and Eimear McKee all stepping up to the mark for Portglenone particularly during the second half.
It wasn’t enough to get them over the line however and it is difficult seeing them make much impact on the Shamrocks tonight. Loughgiel have cantered to another league title and edged out Dunloy in the Feis final for a 16th consecutive title.
Most of last year’s team that lost to Slaughtneil in the Ulster final are back again and their forward line in particular is very effective with the introduction of Anna Connolly, Ciara and Orla Laverty.
This should be another Loughgiel win with the half-backs, Emma McFadden, Maeve Connolly and Shauna Devlin the dominant line in the team.
The Antrim Intermediate championship is at the semi-final stage on Thursday evening and a repeat of the past two finals looks a distinct possibility.
Loughgiel are going for three in a row at this level and they easily saw off Naomh Eoin Belfast last week, while opponents Tír na nÓg were impressive in a 4-10 to 0-4 win in Dunloy where the goals came from Niamh Martin, Aimee McAtamney and Áine Devlin (2).
Áine’s twin Brónagh dominated in defence, while the McGaughey sister also did well.
This is the Randalstown club’s Centenary Celelbration weekend and Loughgiel have agreed to play the tie in Randalstown, but even then it is difficult to see them losing although two or three of the quarter-final team could be promoted to first team action tonight leaving Charley McCarry, Katie Lynn, Ciara Dobbin and Meadhbh McCormick to take leading roles against Tír na nÓg.
In the other semi-final Brídíní Óga Glenravel are tipped to beat Cargin who had a very good performance last week in beating Ballycastle.
Katie McAnenley, Eleanor Mallon and Aileen McGoldrick were the experienced players who led from the front with younger players such as Colleen Traynor prominent as well.
However the Glenravel outfit have been a couple of years in Division 1 gaining experience and players such as Laoise McKenna, Ellen Hynds, Victoria Edgar and the Laverty and McAleenan sisters should be too strong for the Toome girls.
Later in the week there are three quarter-final ties in the Junior championship. Loughgiel and Glenravel were in that final last year, but their chances of progress this weekend against Ahoghill and Creggan respectively will hinge on how deep they have to dig into their resources earlier in the week. The other tie in Armoy with Rasharkin could go the way of the visitors.
ANTRIM SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
Round 2 Tuesday 20th August 7.15pm
Rossa v Ballycastle
Portglenone v Loughgiel
ANTRIM INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP
SEMI-FINALS
Thursday 22nd August, 7pm
Replays Saturday 24th August or Sunday 25th August
Ahoghill : Brídíní Óga Glenravel v Cargin
Randalstown : Tír na nÓg v Loughgiel
Shield Semi-final
Thursday 22nd August, 7pm
Replays Saturday 24th August or Sunday 25th August