Antrim Intermediate championship semi-final
Tír na nÓg 4-14 Dunloy 1-5
THE outcome of this game was obvious from as early as the first water-break by which point Tír na nÓg had taken a commanding 2-6 to 0-0 lead over Dunloy and seemed to be on top in most areas of the park.
They continued that dominance until the break but had added just four more points while Dunloy raised their effort and got off the mark with two Orla O’Neill frees.
However in reality their defence was under serious pressure throughout and they were forced to bring back a sweeper to cut out the route to goal for a physically strong and determined Randalstown team that will be firm favourites to remain unbeaten as they face into their final two games of the season with silverware available in both.
They got a dream start, a beautiful strike from Áine Devlin on the run from the right wing was followed by a speculative shot from Michaela Hegarty that ended up in the Dunloy net before the end of the second minute.
Tír na nÓg immediately turned the screw with the half-back line dominant and forwards pulling defenders out of position.
Cameron McGaughey’s determined run on the right wing in the 10th minute ended with a fine diagonal pass that Ciara Devine batted home. Emily Falloon chipped in with two points and free-taker Devlin brought the gap up to 12 points just before the water break as Tír na nÓg threatened to whitewash their opponents.
That didn’t happen however as Claire McGuckian drove her side into attack and Bronach McGill eventually forced frees from the winners’ defence which Orla O’Neill fired over. But Dunloy were still trailing by 2-10 to 0-2 at the break with Áine Devlin’s 20th minute point from close on the side-line a highlight.
Sub Hannah Crilly and Devlin added points from play on the re-start, but Dunloy were holding their own at this point and the next Tír na nÓg score, a goal, didn’t arrive until the 49th minute, Aine Devlin’s shot from distance going all the way to the net.
Substitute Lisa McAllister hit a tidy goal for Dunloy and added a point, but they were mere consolation scores as Caitlin McGaughey finished the scoring with a goal after a good run from Carla O’Neill.
The second semi-final is in Randalstown tomorrow (Saturday) evening between Brídíní Óga Glenravel and Rossa with a 6.30pm throw-in.
Tír na nÓg : A McAtamney, B Devlin, A Mooney, C Martin, EL McAreavey, O McKeown, Caitlin McGaughey 1-0, S O’Neill, Cameron McGaughey, M Hegarty 1-2, C O’Neill, E Falloon 0-3, 0-1 free, Á Devlin 0-7, 0-4 frees, N Martin, C Devine 1-0.
Subs : D O’Neill for A Mooney (HT), H Crilly 0-2 for C Devine (HT), G Dobbin for EL McAreavy (39), M O’Dolan for N Martin (45), S Shannon for D O’Neill (45).
Dunloy : K McFerran, M McMullan, Brid McGill, Á Johnstone, S McIlhatton, c McGuckian, F Hills, L McConville, C O’Kane, Brónach McGill, E Johnstone, L McGuckian, O O’Neill 0-4 frees, M McToal
Subs : K Doherty for E Johnstone (36), L McAllister 1-1 for Bronach McGill (45), O McMullan for Brid McGill (45).
Referee : Ryan O’Reilly.
