Ulster Ladies MFL
Antrim 3-8 Monaghan 0-5
Antrim got their Ulster Minor League of to a blistering start when they proved too strong for old adversaries Monaghan at a cold and wet Dunsilly on Saturday. The young Saffrons made the running right from the start and put themselves in a strong position by the first water break when they led 1-6 to 0-2.
Antrim won possession from the throw in and Carla McKenna won a free before placing Maria O’Neill for the game’s opening point with the visitors attempting to respond but the Farney girls were wide with a couple of efforts.
Blaithin Nic Cathail then won possession for the home side before being fouled and she took the free herself to extend the Antrim lead to two while at the other end the Antrim defence were giving nothing away as they repelled a number of Monaghan attacks.
Nic Cathail added another point for the Saffrons to extend their lead to four and as the home side begin to dominate Aoife Kelly won possession before placing Maria O’Neill who blasted to the net in the 12th minute to put her side in total control.
Aine Kelly added a point after intercepting the Monaghan kick-out as Monaghan try to respond through the excellentEabha Sherry and Holly McQuaide but Sherry attempt is blocked down by a determined Antrim defence with Blaithin Nic Cathail replying with a point at the other end to extend the Antrim lead.
Monaghan continued to battle and were rewarded for their efforts as Katie Sherry’s kick-out was collected by Kerrianne Walsh who found Holly McQuaid and McQuaid fired over to leave her side trailing 0-2 to 1-6 at the first water break.
As the wind picked up in intensity Eábha Sherry looked like adding to the Monaghan total but her shot tailed wide and it was Antrim who responded in devastating fashion as Carla McKenna won possession before finding Maria O’Neill who placed Ailbhe Kane for Antrim’s second goal.
Playmaker O’Neill then turned to scorer as Aoife Kelly made a timely interception before racing forward and placing her St. Ergnat’s colleague for her second and Antrim’s third major of the half with a late McQuaid point for Monaghan leaving it 3-6 to 0-3 for Antrim as the sides switched ends.
As conditions continue to deteriorate with the rain starting to fall both sides battled for possession at the start of the second half and an interception by Aileen O’Neill saw her race forward before finding Maria O’Neill who rounded her marker and fired home but the score was ruled out for a ‘square-ball’ infringement.
Monaghan keeper Katie Sherlock was injured in the build up to the disallowed goal but recovered after treatment and showed no ill affect as she resumes to save a Maria O’Neill penalty but her side had a mountain to climb as they went into the final quarter.
Eabha Sherry extended the Antrim lead from a pointed free at the start of the final quarter as Aoife Kelly, who was prominent for the Saffrons, limps out of the contest to be replaced by Caoimhe Finucane.
The scores dried up at this stage with a late point from Maria O’Neill concluding the scoring and the Antrim management will be happy with their sides opening day performance and the young Saffrons look to be in rude health going into this year’s campaign.
Antrim: Emily McCoy, Niamh Ritchie, Sarah O’Neill, Broghan Crossin, Aoife Kelly, Aileen McDonnell, Carla McKenna, Ana Mulholland, Suibhne Gibney, Aine Kelly, Maria O’Neill, Blaithin Ni Cathail, Lura Agnew, Aibhe Kane, Alyssa Davidson. Subs: Caoimhe Finucane for Aoife Kelly
Monaghan: Katie Sherlock, Roisin Lennon, Tara Renaghan, Tara McArdle, Hanna Haughey, Abi Caralon, Kerri Anne Walsh, Leah Connelly, Laura McGeown, Holly McQuaid, Sarah Tierney, Shannon Murphy, Aine McQuaide, Eabha Sherry, Niamh Flannagan
