Ulster LGFA U16 Football League
Antrim 3-4 Tyrone 1-8
Antrim produced a strong second half comeback to defeat Tyrone in the opening day of the Ulster U16 Football League in Belfast today. They trailed by 1-6 to 0-2 at half and looked in trouble but the young Saffrons finally came to life and a goal from Lisa Wilson, two minutes into the second half set their comeback alight.
It was visitors Tyrone who made the running early in the game and points from Aoife Quinn, Ella McCaffery, Shauna Teague and the impressive Quinn again had them 0-4 to 0-0 to the good after 19 minutes.
Cora Bellew finally got the Saffrons on the scoreboard with a point in the 23d minute but Tyrone responded with a point from Hannah Cavlan and a goal from Catherine Mohan to take control with Antrim’s only response, a late point from Orlaith Johnston.
Antrim needed a good start to the second half if they were to take anything from this game and Lisa Wilson ignited the comeback flame when she finished to the Tyrone net, two minutes into the second period.
This score lifted her side and they struck with a second goal in the 4th minute from Keela McAllister and suddenly the momentum was all with the girls in Saffron as Tyrone looked shell shocked.
It got even better for the home side when Maria McNally broke though for a point in the 38th minute to level the contest and Antrim were now playing with a drive and confidence which was sadly lacking in the opening half.
Antrim took the leads for the first time when Nicole Munce got forward from defence for a point but Tyrone finally found a response and Ella McCaffery split the posts in the 45th and 47th minutes to restore their lead.
It was still anyone’s game as both sides battled for ascendancy but it was Antrim’s Orleigha McGuinness who became the Antrim hero when she got through to rattle the Tyrone net for the third time and it was to prove the game’s final score.
