McQuillan’s Ballycastle 1-07 Loughgiel Shamrocks 8-14
Another emphatic win by Loughgiel camogs on Tuesday night served fresh warning, if warning was needed the Shamrocks are still out on their own in Antrim Camogie. They once again amassed a highly impressive total as their forward division turned on the style at Pairc MacUílín with Roisin McCormick hitting 4-7 and Caitrin Dobbin 2-3.
Ballycastle started the night off well with Aine Donnelly pointing in the second minute, quickly followed by Caoimhe Wright. Their defence started off very strong and it took until the 6th minute before Loughgiel broke through for their first attack, but Roisin McCormick’s shot went to the wrong side of the post. From the puc-out Maeve Connolly won the ball and simple ball to Roisin McCormick was placed between the upright to give Loughgiel their opening score.
The first goal of the night came moments later as McCormick solo ran towards goal but was denied by Aoife McGowan on her first attempt, a goal mouth scramble occurred with Roisin able to get the final touch to force the ball over the line.
Caitrin Dobbin and Christine Laverty were on hand shortly after wards to score goals and points in quick succession for the Shamrocks.
Ballycastle carried the ball up the field to make another attack themselves but Aine Donnelly was unlucky this time around has her shot goes to the wrong side of the post. Niamh O’Neill got her name on the score sheet with a well-taken point as she got out in front of Chloe Higgins to win the ball just before the water break.
From the restart Emma McMullan doubled on an aerial ball sending it into Christine Laverty in the corner who finished with a hand pass to the net. Ballycastle responded well with Cliodhna Donnelly pouncing on a poor clearance by the Loughgiel defence, she looked up and found her twin sister Aine in space for a simple score to add to her earlier point.
The half finished with a floury of scores, two points for Caitrin Dobbin, and well-taken 21meter free by Niamh Donnelly gave Ballycastle their only green flag of the night. But too long range frees from Roisin McCormick slipped under the cross bar and gave Loughgiel a good cushion at the break with a half time score of Loughgiel 5-05 to Ballycastle 1-04.
The second half continued much the same as the first half ended with the Shamrocks really finding their stride and Ballycastle struggling to break through the defence. Roisin McCormick tried to run through the Ballycastle defence but fantastic defending by Niamh Donnelly didn’t allow Roisin to get a shot away. Lucia McNaughton played a good cross field ball into Laverty in the corner, who composed herself well and good defending by Catherine McShane kept Laverty in the corner and didn’t let her passed. Unfortunately for Ballycastle Laverty seen the in running Lucia McNaughton and an inch perfect pass allowed Lucia to point with ease.
Loughgiel continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with points from Roisin McCormick and Katie Lynn. Caoimhe Wright responded for Ballycastle with a point from the dead ball after being fouled herself, but Loughgiel responded with a goal either side of the water break. The first one came from Caitrin Dobbin from a tight angle as she ran along the end line and the second from Ciara Laverty who tried for a point with her shot dropping just below the cross bar. However Ballycastle never gave up and finished the game with the last two scores both coming from Caoimhe Wright.
McQuillan’s Ballycastle
Aoife McGowan, Niamh Ann Donnelly, Catherine McShane, Bronagh McCaughan, Kathryn Donnelly, Niamh Donnelly (1-0f), Enya McShane, Cliodhna Donnelly, Emma Laverty, Tara O’Neill, Caoimhe Wright (0-4 3f), Aine Donnelly (0-2), Nuala Devlin, Niamh O’Neill (0-1), Riana McBride Subs; Meabh O’Neill for Kathryn Donnelly (HT), Aoife Toner for Niamh O’Neill (44mins), Maria Bakewell for Cliodhna Donnelly (44mins) and Caitlin Hegarty for Aine Donnelly (50mins)
Loughgiel Shamrocks
Megan Coyle, Megan McGarry, Chloe Higgins, Clare McKillop, Emma McFadden, Maeve Connolly, Shauna Devlin, Amy Boyle, Lucia McNaughton (0-1), Roisin McCormick (4-6 2-1f), Emma McMullan, Katie Lynn (0-2), Caitrin Dobbin (2-3), Christine Laverty (1-2), Anna Connolly Subs; Katie McKillop for Emma McFadden (46mins), Ciara Laverty (1-0) for Anna Connolly (46mins), Ciara Boyle for Shauna Devlin (51mins) and Orlagh Laverty for Christine Laverty (51mins)