Antrim Camogie League Division 1

Loughgiel 0-11 Ballycastle 1-10

A brilliant injury time save by Ballycastle goalkeeper Danielle McMichael helped her team hold on for a rare win over county champions Loughgiel at Fr Healy Park on Tuesday evening.

Leading by 0-7 to 0-6 at half time a goal soon after the restart from Caitlin Heggarty gave Ballycastle a bit of a cushion, against an understrength Sharmrocks side (both teams played without their county players). As the game entered injury time they lead had been cut back to two. A good move the length of the field saw Loughgiel’s Christine Larerty find room to fire in a shot, but just when it looked that they would grave the win at the death, McMichael pulled off a great save to keep her team in front.

Three points from Ellen McIntosh in the opening half helped Ballycastle to a 0-7 to 0-6 laad the break, Aine Donnelly, Caitlin Heggarty and Riana McBride also among the scorers, while Emma McMullan (3), Christine Laverty and Louise McKillop were among the scorers for the Shamrocks.

Heggarty’s goal early in the second half was to prove vital, as Loughgiel came back with pints from Emma McMullan and Mary McKillen to leave just two in it Nuala Devlin pointed from play to put Ballycastle three ahead again, but Emma McFadden and Anna McKillop closed the gap to a single point.

With the three McIntosh sisters all showing well the visitors kept the noses in front. McIntosh and Nuala Devlin put the ap out to three but Loughgiel pulled one back again and looked well set to clinch it at the last, until McMichael came to their rescue with that injury time save.

Despite as many as eight players ruled out because of county commitments it is clear that Loughgiel are still competitive, but Ballycastle, (who were also without their county players) will be glad to have got over the line