Antrim Senior Camogie Final
Loughgiel v Dunloy at Quinn Park, Ballymena
Antrim Senior Camogie Champions Loughgiel bid for their 8th title on the trot when they take on arch rivals Dunloy in Sunday’s decider in Ballymena. Dunloy were the last side to beat the Shamrocks in the championship knock out stages when they caused a major shock in the opening round in Armoy back in 2013, winning by 3-10 to 1-5 in a thrilling game. The Cuchullains also came out on top a few weeks ago in the round robin stages of the competition, edging out their neighbours in a game without goals on a scoreline of 0-15 to 0-14 in Fr Healey Park
Looking forward to Sunday you get the feeling that if they are to stand any chance of dethroning the champions Dunloy will again have to cut down the Shamrocks goal threat, for it is their ability to chalk up the major scores which set the champions apart from the rest. Although they didn’t score any goals against Dunloy in the round robin game, and only one against Ballycastle, they still managed to chalk up 15 goals overall.
Ballyastle handled them well in the round robin game but in last week’s semi-final they were able to up the pace remarkably and the worry sign for Dunloy was that Rachael Murphy looked sharper than she had done for years, scoring a hat-trick of goals, two of them real rockets. Ballycastle did well to deny Caitrin Dobbin any goals but that is Loughgiel’s great strength is that of one of their star forwards is well contained there is always someone else to step into the breach.
Roisin McCormick played further out the field last week against Ballycastle and she was sensational and is now back to her best after a bit of a dip in form last year, while corner forward Annie Lynn has been the find of the season for the Shamrocks. Pace is a great asset to any sportsperson and Annie has it in abundance, and she is also full of hurling.
Their midfield pairing of county captain Lucia McNaughton and the highly experienced Emma McFadden are formidable and their battle with Dunloy’s Aileen McManus and Chloe Conlon promises to be something special.
At the back Loughgiel have a very solid look about them. With Megan Coyle back in goal,Katie Lynn at full back and Maeve Connolly at centre back they have a strong spine, which is supplemented with stars like Amy Boyle, Charlene Campbell and Shauna Devlin.
The introduction of new blood into the Dunloy team has been vital this season with the likes of Bríd Magill, Cassie McArthur and double All Ireland winner Aine Magill really stepping up to the mark. With Chloe Drain and Katie Molloy forming part of the half back line, McManus and Conlon at midfield and the ever accurate Nicole O’Neill in the half forward line they will carry a real threat and if Aine and Cassie can get really going in the full forward line it should be very interesting.
However I feel everything has to go right for the challengers if they are cause a shock and dethrone the champions. Loughgiel produced their best performance for a long time in last week’s win over Ballycastle. They were tuned in from the very start and if they can reproduce that again on Sunday they will be hot favourites to make it 8-in-a-row.
During the past year Antrim Camogs team built up a team spirit that was as strong as any I have seen in all my years covering GAA. Really strong friendships were built among players from the different teams, but for an hour or so on Sunday a few of those friendships will be tested.