Antrim Senior Camogie Championship – Round Robin
Portglenone 0-5 Loughgiel 5-25
Four goals in the opening 15 minutes of Tuesday evening’s Senior Camogie Championship round-robin killed off the challenge of Portglenone as champions Loughgiel powered their way to a 4-14 to 0-2 half time lead. Two of the goals came from corner forward Ciara Laverty, while Roisin McCormick and Laverty’s sister Christine also hit the net.
The Shamrocks had it all wrapped up from early on as the home side struggled to get out of their own half, and with half forwards Caitrin Dobbin and Emma McMullan, plus midfielder Amy Boyle in dominant form the chances kept on coming for a very potent full-forward line.
After the break the champions eased their foot off the throttle a litte as a gallant Portglenone side pulled back a few scores but as the game entered the final ten minutes the Shamrocks took off again and hit a series of excellent points.
Their fifth goal didn’t come until the last few minutes when Emma McMullan hand-passed to the Portglenone net to complete the rout and seal their semi-final place.
Loughgiel : Ciara Laverty 2-3, Roisin McCormick 1-7, Emma McMullan 1-4, Christine Laverty 1-3, Caitrin Dobbin 0-3, Lucia McNaughton 0-2, Anna Connolly 0-2, Amy Boyle 0-1.
Portglenone : Katie McAleese 0-5 frees
Ballycastle made to work for win
Rossa 0-6 Ballycastle 0-14
After last week’s win over Dunloy Ballycastle were expected to stroll to victory over Rossa at Shaw’s Road but the former All Ireland champions made the ‘Town’ girls work hard for the win.
Indeed Rossa put it up to the visitors during the opening half and actually led by 0-5 to 0-4 after 24 minutes with two points from Orlagh McCaul and three from Bronagh Orchin.
However late points from Áine Donnelly and Caoimhe Wright (her third of the half) left Ballycastle a point ahead at the break.
Rossa lost Orlagh McCaul to injury at the break and their challenge suffered from that with three points from Wright and two long frees from Niamh Donnelly in the opening ten minutes of the second half putting the game beyond them.
Maeve Kelly dominated midfield with the Ballycastle half-back line shutting out Rossa’s attack.
Ballycastle : Caoimhe Wright 0-6, 0-2 frees, Maeve Kelly 0-3, Niamh Donnelly 0-2 frees, Áine Donnelly 0-1, Tara O’Neill 0-1, Niamh O’Neill 0-1.
Rossa : Bronagh Orchin 0-4, 0-3 frees, Orlagh McCaul 0-2, 0-1 free
In the last round of group matches next week, Loughgiel are at home to Cushendall with both already assured of semi-final spots, while the fourth semi-finalist will come from the winner of Dunloy v Rossa.