LGFA MINOR League
Antrim 2-8 Tyrone 1-2
Antrim management of Sarah McCann and her coaches Marty Kane and Anna McCann have set their sights high this year and with a talented squad at their disposal they took on Tyrone on Sunday at Musgrave Park.
Their confidence in their side looked a little misguided in the opening quarter as visitors Tyrone shot themselves into an early lead and appeared set to upset the Saffron applecart. They got off to a flying start as Clodagh Munroe shot to the Antrim net in the 7th minute and when Rhianne Monaghan and Olivia McGuinness added unanswered points by the 13th minute the young Saffrons looked in trouble.
Slowly they settled however to get on top in the second quarter with Laura Agnew finally opening their account with a point in the 20th minute and further points from Suibhne Gibney, Ciara Maguire and an injury time point from Maria O’Neill left them trailing by the minimum as the half time whistle sounded.
Could Tyrone start the second half as they started the first? The answer was an emphatic no as Antrim continued where they had left off before the break.
A Ciara Maguire goal in the 40th minute gave them the lead for the first time and it was a lead they would not lose as they went on to totally dominate the second half.
Maria O’Neill, Blaitin Ni Cathail, Aibhe Kane and Ni Cathail again added points to move the home side five ahead with nine minutes remaining and when Aibhe Kane fired home their second goal it was all over.
Robyn Murray added a point to complete a thoroughly competent performance from the girls in Saffron who now play Donegal in Ballybofey next Saturday and on this performance they look capable of giving anyone a run for their money
The first quarter was a slow start for the Antrim girls. They looked hesitant but after the first water break they looked a different team. They had strong runners breaking up the pitch with Blaitin NI Cathall setting up some good scores along with Anna Mulholland and Eileen O’Donnell.
Maria ONeill and Aoife Kelly combined well going forward with their attack producing some great scores while their defence closed shop after a shaky start with Sarah O’Neill dominant in this department.
Antrim: Emily McCoy, Saoirse McErlain, Niamh Ritchie, Broghan Crossin, Aileen McDonnell, Carla McKenna, Laura Agnew, Suibhne Gibney, Aine Kelly, Blaithin Ni Cathail, Alyssa Davidson, Aoife Kelly, Maria O’Neill, Ciara Maguire.
Tyrone: Ameilie Coyle, Aine Quinn, Olivia McGuinness, Rhianna Monaghan, Beth Jones, Aoibhinn Daly, Clare Pinkerton, Leah Martin, Emma Conroy, Aine Stein, Emer McCenny, Aine Grimes, Clonagh Munroe, Mya Williamson, Aine Heggarty.
