LGA All Ireland JFC Final Replay
Antrim 3-15 Fermanagh 0-11
It was Sunny Saturday as Antrim made no mistake at the second time of asking when they recorded a resounding victory over Fermanagh in this All Ireland JFC replay at the Athletic Grounds today. The Saffrons were forced to come from behind with a late point to earn a replay two weeks ago but never looked in trouble at any time in Saturday’s replay
Antrim made a bright opening today and looked in a strong position when they led by 2-5 to 0-6 at half time with goals from Laura Dahunsi and another from a Cathy Carey penalty left them in pole position going into the second half
There was more than a touch of fortune about both goals with the superb Dahunsi sending a looping shot over the head of Fermanagh keeper Gleeson and Cathy Carey converting a rather soft penalty after 8 minutes to put the Saffron’s 2-1 to 0-2 ahead.
Fermanagh were almost totally reliant on their full-forward, Eamer Smyth for their first half scores with the flying number 14 providing 0-5 of her side’s first half total and substitute Erin Tierney getting the other.
Dahunsi was superb around midfield section for the Saffrons and turned over a lot of ball with her energy driving her side forward and Antrim’s more direct approach provided dividends with Grainne McLaughlin 0-3, Orla Prenter, Catherine Taggart and Bronagh Devlin all on target as they led 2-5 to 0-6 at the break.
If Fermanagh were to get back into the game they needed to make a good start to the second half but it never looked like materialising as the Antrim defence, superbly marshalled by Tennyson shut up shop.
Dahunsi continued to give them a strong foothold at midfield as the Antrim attack began to apply the afterburners with team captain Cathy Carey leading the way and Grainne McLaughlin making a sizeable contribution both from frees and from play.
In hindsight it wasn’t going to be Fermanagh’s day when an Eamer Smyth free came back of an upright and into the hands of an Antrim defender after 30 seconds of the second half and Antrim responded through Grainne McLaughlin, Mulholland, Cathy Carey and McLaughlin again to move 2-9 to 0-6 ahead after 10 minutes.
The Erne Counties first score of the half arrived from the boot of Smyth in the 13th minute but Antrim replied immediately though Marie Mulholland and Fermanagh would only register two further points through Bogue.
Grainne McLaughlin 0-4 and Orla Prenter hit fine points for the Saffrons and when Cathy Carey fielded a tantalising delivery before turning in one sweet movement and rifling to the net in the 24th minute it was well and truly over.
Team captain Carey, who was playing in a final for the sixth time (counting Saturday’s replay) won the T naG player of the match award with Laura Dahunsi not far behind her in the race for the honour and Grainne McLaughlin is another who deserves special mention in an Antrim team who were superb all over the field.
Carey refered to it being Sunny Saturday in her match interview after the game before receiving the trophy and there is likely to be a lengthy celebration in the towns and villages of Antrim tonight as they celebrate this excellent victory which will do wonders for ladies football in the county.
ANTRIM: A McCann; D Coleman, A McFarland, N McIntosh; M Mulholland, S Tennyson, S O’Neill; L Dahunsi (1-0), A Tubridy; C Taggart (0-3), C Carey (2-1, 1-0 pen), M O’Neill; B Devlin (0-1), O Prenter (0-2, 1f), G McLaughlin (0-8, 3f)
Subs: T Mellon for M O’Neill (45), O Corr for D Coleman (47), C Emerson for C Taggart (51), M McGarry for S O’Neill (55), E Murphy for B Devlin (57)
Blood sub: T Mellon for B Devlin (40-44)
FERMANAGH: R Gleeson; E Keenan, M McGloin, S McQuade; N McManus, S McCarville, C Bogue (0-1); B Bannon, A O’Brien; E Tierney (0-1), B Bogue (0-2, 1f), S Britton; C McElroy, E Smyth (0-7, 2f), L Grew
Subs: N Curran for L Grew (ht), E Maguire for E Tierney (40), E Douglas for A O’Brien (43), A Gordon for B Bannon (51), K Elliott for C Bogue (55)
REFEREE: Lorraine O’Sullivan (Donegal)
