Antrim Junior Camogie Championship final

Saturday 4pm in Portglenone

Ahoghill v Creggan

The teams that were beaten in last year’s Junior championship semi-finals have bounced back to reach tomorrow afternoon’s (SATURDAY) final in Portglenone – and Ahoghill have been the more impressive side along the way.

The Clooney girls have been there or thereabouts in recent seasons but have found Loughgiel the stumbling block in league and championship. However after sweeping aside Ballycastle by scoring 8-29, they downed the Shamrocks in the quarter-finals at the end of August.

Given that Loughgiel lost players to other teams in the club through the grading system, a win for Ahoghill wasn’t a shock, but the 4-11 to 1-3 score-line was – and it immediately installed them as title-favourites.

Another huge win over Armoy a fortnight ago has them in the final with a defence that is almost untested.

Up front Noreen Graham, one of the most talented forwards in the county over the last decade, is still firing in the scores, but now doesn’t have to work as hard for possession with younger players such as her cousins Caitriona and Aine and minor Maura Downey not only supplying her with plenty of possession but also able to land scores themselves.

Creggan have been the slow-burners of this championship although they did get off to a good start with a win over Rossa. Next came a good second half against Brídíní Óga Glenravel last year’s finalists in the quarter-final.

Ruby Marie Rice missed the latter game, but was their main scorer in the 4-14 to 3-6 semi-final win over Gortnamona. All the goals came in the first half of that game and all six forwards made the scoreboard with Ciara McCollum continuing the good form she has shown over the championship.

Ciara McAuley has been excellent at the back for Creggan, but the Ahoghill attack is very speedy and that could well be a problem for the Kickham’s defence.

Ahoghill have more pacey and accurate forwards and that should see them take the title.