Very Ireland National Camogie League Division 3B final

Antrim 1-5 Clare 0-9

It was a case of so near, yet so far away for Antrim Camogs when they lost out by the minimum margin to Clare in the final of the Very Ireland National Camogie League at Clane, Co Kildare on Saturday

Antrim appeared to be in a very good position when they lead by 0-5 to 0-3, at half time. However a five-point scoring burst from Clare without reply during the third quarter saw the game turned on its head.

A great gaol by  Orlagh Laverty in the 47th minute, when she reacted first to a save from Lauran Solon to pull first time to the net, brought Antrim back level and it appeared to be game on again. However that was as good as it got for the Saffrons as Clare reacted better to clinch the league title

Dervla Cosgrove hit Antrim’s first four points but Laoise O’Donnell, Niamh Carmody and Katie Twomey came back with points for the Banner County girls.

Brid Magill came back with a point  to put the Saffrons 0-5 to 0-3 ahead at the break, but wind assisted Clare took charge in the second half.   

O’Donnell and O’Gorman came back with points to put Clare ahead with 38 minutes gone and when Twomey and Cooney added two more the Munster girls were three to the good. Orlagh Lavery’s great goal appeared to have swung the momentum back in Antrim’s favour but it was not to be and Clare pushed on with Cooney hitting the winner.

Clare: A Cooney (0-3 frees), K O’Gorman (0-2), K Twomey (0-2), L McDonnell (0-1), G Carmody (0-1).

Antrim: D Cosgrove (0-4 frees), O Laverty (1-0), Bríd Magill (0-1)