Electric Ireland Minor ‘A’ Shield All-Ireland Camogie Championship
Sunday 02-APR-23 at 2:00pm – NGDC, Abbottstown, Dublin (Ref. Aaron Hogg [Clare])
Limerick 0.10 – 3.08 Antrim
On Sunday the 2nd April 2023 past, at the NGDC in Abbottstown, Dublin, Antrim Minor Camogs, powered into the All-Ireland Minor ‘A’ Shield semi-final, after a pulsating and hard-fought victory, over pre-competition favourites, Limerick. The final score-line of 3.08 to 0.10, would suggest some degree of latitude – but that could not be farther from the case. Indeed, it was not until late in the final-quarter of this game – and a goal from Antrim’s No. 11 [Cushendall’s Orlaith Mc Allister] – that Antrim could feel that the result was secure, and the Treaty girls defeated, for the first time this year. Yet, in saying that, this Limerick team will have a massive say in, who eventually wins this competition. Overall, this young Antrim team performed to an even higher-level, than even the week previously, when in accounting for a strong Wexford team, in a tough and physical encounter. The performance – as has been all year – was built around a parsimonious defence; an industrious mid-field; and a forward-unit that is now, starting to find and execute, goal-scoring opportunities.
Again (i.e. as in the week previous against Wexford) – Antrim were quickest out of the blocks and got off to another great start – racing into a 1.01 lead within the first two minutes. In fact, full-forward Mary Mc Arthur, had the ball in the back of the Limerick net, within 41 seconds of the referee’s, Barry Nash’s first whistle. The 15-year-old, latched on to a delivered ball from mid-fielder, No. 9, Cara O’ Boyle; rounded the Limerick full-back; and drove to the net off her left-hand side from 12-yards out (at the same time as her older sister Cassie, was coming off the bench, to find the back of the net for the Antrim Seniors against Wexford). Young Mc Arthur quickly followed this up, with a point off her right-hand-side, from 30-yards out, towards the middle of the Limerick goal. However, Limerick responded well, with points apiece from No.11, Ahane’s Niamh Brennan and left-corner-forward [No. 15], Monaleen’s Laura Southern. Indeed the latter, was causing Antrim’s defence no end of problems, throughout the first-half, due to her pace, control, touch and probing runs. Similar, Limerick’s No. 12, Katie Dore, whose height, fielding and strong solo-running, was putting Limerick on the front foot. It was then no surprise, that Limerick rattled off the next three points, through Southern (her second of the half); a fine effort from full-forward, Caoimhe Smith; and No. 11, Brennan again, as the contest entered the last five minutes of the first-half.
Corner-forward Anna Mc Killop, steadied the ship for Antrim and after landing a ’45 to level matters at 0.05 to 1.02, on the 26-minute mark, she scored a fine point from distance (wide on the right from 40-metres), to push Antrim into the minimum, one-point lead at half-time, on a score-line of: 0.05 – 1.03. In truth, the lead was well-merited. Yet, Antrim – although playing their best camogie of the campaign – had struck eight wides during the half. Off greater importance, was the attitude and resilience of the Antrim backs – having been resolute all year – who after a re-jig, had got to grips with the ever-threatening Limerick forwards. However, Limerick would have been heartened with their own performance – especially after having been rocked so early on, with Mc Arthur’s early goal.
Upon resumption of the second-half, Antrim’s O’ Boyle, clipped-over the first score of the half – a neat effort from 30-yards, off her right-hand shoulder, after a penetrating solo-run from central mid-field. However, Limerick’s Brennan, tied the contest for the third time, on the forty-minute mark, with her fourth and fifth points of the after-noon. That was as close as Limerick were to get to the Saffron girls, as the ‘Glens ladies’ started to dominate in the middle-third, and then proceeded to produce their best camogie, as the game entered the final-quarter.
From the 41st-minute until the final-whistle, Antrim forwards were to score 2.02 – against 0.02 in reply for Limerick – and with the Antrim backs and mid-field now contesting every ball, as if their lives’ depended on it, the match invariably swung in Antrim’s favour. However, two of the scores of the game, came just at the start of the final-quarter: Antrim’s No. 8, Ballycastle’s Janie Mc Intosh, scoring a fine point from distance, and Shannagh Heggarty, Antrim’s No. 5, scoring and uplifting point, from a long way out, wide on the right. These scores helped drive the team on, and with twelve minutes to go, Cushendall’s Kady MC Neill, found the back of the Limerick net, with her second goal in succession (following on from her strike against Wexford the Sunday-previous), and subsequently, followed this up, with a well-taken point from 25-yards out, from wide on the right.
It was still a gripping contest and no doubt, those in attendance, were in thrall to the proceedings; and the large Antrim following, helped the girls to drive on for the victory. Limerick threw everything they had at Antrim, deep in the final quarter, with numerous substitutes being introduced. That said, the Antrim girls gave everything they had, and with Antrim substitutes Shanna Deery and Sarsfields’ Aimee Ferris, now introduced for the injured Ciara Connolly and Anna Mc Killop respectively, the Antrim forwards – with No. 11 Orlaith Mc Allister to the fore – started to stretch the Limerick back line. With full-forward Mary Mc Arthur, now out around the Limerick half-back/mid-field, foraging for ball and every Antrim player committing to rucks, to gain possession, any half-chance would prove vital. With five minutes to go, the diminutive Ferris, won two every important possessions: the first she carried before off-loading to Mc Allister, who duly slotted over the bar; and the second, contributed to Antrim’s third goal – which put the match to bed. Ferris gained possession and set off on a probing run, with Mc Allister in support. With the Limerick full-back line coming out, Ferris neatly laid the ball off to the supporting Mc Allister, who proceeded on the run towards the Limerick goal. Again, with opposition players converging, Orlaith [Mc Allister] seemed to be tripped, but as she was going to ground, she doubled on the ball from 12-years, to drill the sliotar home to the Shannonsiders’ net. Thus sealing the victory for Antrim – to jubilant scenes. In reply, Limerick mustered a point from substitute, No. 25, Lilly Duggan. The game concluding in a seven-point (feeling more like a one-point) victory to Antrim, on a score-line of: Limerick 0.10 – 3.08 Antrim.
Unquestionable, an all-round team and panel performance from the young Antrim girls. In years past, there tended to be a reliance on marquee players, to do the business; but this Antrim team, is truly the sum of its parts. An exhilarating performance, but it only takes the girls to an All-Ireland semi-final – and it will take more to progress further. Anyhow, the girls conclude their round-robin games on Sunday-coming (i.e. 16th April 2023), when they host Meath, in Armoy at 2:00pm; and it is hoped that a large crowd will get out and support the girls in their efforts. With Meath playing for survival at this level and numerous Antrim girls, playing not only for a starting-position in a Semi-Final, but also playing their last ‘home’ game as an Antrim Minor, there is much up for grabs. Caveat that with the premise, if Antrim produce as they have been doing as of recently, and a result in another match goes in their favour, Antrim may yet top the group. Not to be a ‘hostage to fortune’ – but heady days indeed!
Scorers:
Antrim: Mary Mc Arthur (1.01); Kady Mc Neill (1.01); Orlaith Mc Allister (1.01); Anna Mc Killop (0.02 [1 x ’45]); Cara O’ Boyle (0.01); Janie Mc Intosh (0.01); Shannagh Heggarty (0.01)
Limerick: Niamh Brennan (0.06 [1 x ‘45]); Laura Southern (0.02); Caoimhe Smith (0.01); Lilly Duggan (0.01)