Ulster Minor Camogie Championship final
Antrim 1-9 Derry 0-9
Loughgiel’s Anna McKillop gave an exhibition of free taking in the second half of Sunday’s Ulster Minor Camogie Championship against Derry at Edendork, as she steered Antrim to a hard fought victory over Derry.
Antrim fell behind when Derry’s Carla Collins pointed her fifth free nine minutes into the second half to give to give the Oak Leaf girls a 0-9 to 1-4 lead, but McKillop showed her class when she hit the target on five occasion going down the home straight to see Antrim retain their Ulster title.
In a hard fought game Derry had the better of things in the opening half and were good value for their 0-6 to 1-2 advantage at half time. Though Antrim will point to a couple of goal chances they let slip in the opening period.
Derry were more economical with their chances however and hit just one wide, while Antrim were off target with four attempts during that time.
The Oak Leaf girls went two ahead when Caitlin Cambpell and Orlaith Hull hit the opening two points but after Hull’s score, Clodagh McPeake put Eobha McAllister in the clear and Rosheen Doherty could do nothing put haul her down for a penalty.
Anna McKillop stepped up and sent Doherty the wrong way for the only goal of the game and then she and Connla Kerr exchanged points, before Carla Collins levelled from half-way line.
Grace Kelly’s point right on the whistle edged Derry ahead at the break and after the restart Collins pointed a free to put Derry two ahead.
Anna McKillop from a free and Cara O’Boyle from play soon had Antrim level again and they appeared to be getting a bit of control but Collins with two pointed frees squared things up once again. It looked like anyone’s game at this stage but McKillop two McKillop frees inside three minutes midway the half turned the game in Antrim’s favour. From that stage on the Saffrons held the upper hand, and two further points from Player of the Match McKillop sealed the win. Both teams will be pleased with the good work-out ahead of the first round of group games in the Electirc Ireland All-Ireland minor championships next weekend.
Despite defeat Derry are still in the championship, which sees the start of the round robin series next weekend. Antrim will Clare in Abbottstown while Derry have a home game against Carlow.
Antrim: L Mulholland, A Donnelly capt., A McNeill, C Crawford, S Heggarty, D Dobbin, E Coulter, J McIntosh, C O’Boyle (0-1), A McKillop (1-7, 1-0 pen, 0-7 frees), M McArthur, O McAlister, K McNeill, C McPeake (0-1), E McAllister.
Sub: C Connolly for C McPeake (47)
Derry: R Doherty, A McOscar, C McGarry, MK Turner, C Ferris, E Kelly, R Keenan, C Kerr (0-1), O Hull (0-1), G Kelly (0-1), C Collins(0-5 frees), E Doyle capt., K Connery, C Campbell (0-1), B McCloskey.
Subs: E Doherty for C McGarry (15), M Boyan for MK Turnrr (25), B McLaughlin for B McClloskey (33), E McCormick for K Connery (55)
Referee: P Leonard (Tyrone)
