Antrim Camogie
Pics and report by Brian McKee
Antrim Camogie must be rubbing their hands in delight at the standard of camogie displayed in the two Development Finals held in Cargin on Sunday. The Cup Final paired two strong teams in Ballycastle and Sarsfields. Ballycastle opened the scoring with a point from a free by Laura Dallas, but Sarsfields hit back quickly with a goal from play by Laura McKernan and a further goal from Katrina Murtagh.
Honor Robinson repeatedly ran at the Ballycastle defence in the opening quarter and the girls from the Town looked under pressure. Laura Dallas was in great form though and kept Ballycastle well in the game with 5 points form frees in the first half.
Dallas had a great opportunity to put Ballycastle ahead with a penalty in closing minutes of the first half, only for her rasper of a shot to be saved by the in-form Frances Ramsey in the Sarsfields nets. Dallas followed up Ramsey’s block with a point to leave the scores 1-09 to 2-04 at half-time.
The second half saw a lot of scoring opportunities missed by both sides but that did not stop the excitement growing in what became a close and very competitive games in which both teams went all out for victory.
Laura McKernan was proving deadly from frees for Sarsfields but by the middle of the second half, Ballycastle were starting to look a bit more in control, but the game switched from one half to the other as both sides looked at the real possibility of capturing silverware. Both defences were holding out firm against repeated attacks.
Sarsfields managed to find extra energy in the final few minutes as they fought to rein Ballycastle back in, but despite their best efforts it was the dug-out from Ballycastle who took to the field with excitement when the final whistle blew.
In the victory celebrations afterwards it must be noted the worthy manner in which the ladies from Sarsfields took what was a hard defeat for them. Given the level of skill on show at this game, there is no doubt that the Development Competition has proven to be a massive boost for camogie in Antrim.
Ballycastle: Erin O’Hara, Laura Neill, Louise Dornan, Caoimhe McShane, Julie McKillen, Michaela Beattie, Rebecca Barrett, Eimear Donnelly, Siobhan Donnelly, Clare Scullion, Laura Dallas (0-9), Katy McKinley, Ciara McShane, Louise McNeill, Caoimhe O’Hara
Subs: Ciara McKeague for Julie McKillen, Kara Brolly for Siobhan Donnelly, Riona McAuley (1-0) for Louise McNeill, Charlie McQuillan for Caoimhe O’Hara
Sarsfields: Frances Ramsey, Laura Brady, Róisé Morgan, Alana Connolly, Caitlin McArdle, Tierna Johnston, Orlagh McKiernan, Niamh Crothers, Diana Coleman, Carla McKenna, Honor Robinson, Laura McKernan (1-04), Seaneen Browne, Sara Flynn, Katrina Murtagh (1-0), Aoife Caldwell
Subs: Louise Fleming for Honor Robinson
