Doherty Woodshavings Intermediate Camogie Championship.

Tir na nÓg 1-10 Ballycastle 1-9

A point from corner forward Orlaith Prenter in the final minute gave Tir na nÓg victory over Ballycastle in the opening round of the Intermediate Camogie Championship at Whitehill on Sunday. With five minutes left for play Ballycastle were well positioned to take the victory when they lead by 1-9 to 1-7, but the home team finished strongly and two of the stars of Antrim’s All Ireland Junior Football winning side, Orlaith Prenter and Aine Devlin got them the scores which turned the game around.

Devlin, playing at full forward, had a goal on the scoreboard in the opening minute, but her opposite number on the Ballycastle team Shannagh Heggarty hit one at the other end two minutes later to tie up the scores and Maubh O’Neill put them ahead on seven minutes. Naimh Martin brought Tir na nÓg level on tem minutes and they went two clear when Niamh Martin and Orlaith Prenter fired over points. It was nip and tuck during the second quarter with Ellen and Janey McIntosh bringing Ballycastle level. Prenter put the home side ahead again on 28 minutes but Heggarty’s late points for Ballycastle left the sides level at 1-15 apiece at half time.

Points by Graham and Heggarty put Ballycastle on top early in the second half but Aine Devlin cut the gap back to one with a pointed free. Maria Bakewll and Shannagh Heggarty added points on either side of one from a 45 by Devlin and when they held that lead until five minutes from time they it looked like they were set for a semi-final place.  However Tir na nOg finished the game strongly and Preneter and Devlin brought Tir na nOg level, before Prenters struck the winning with just a minute to play.