Armagh City Hotel Ulster Under 16 Camogie final
Derry 6-11 Antrim 3-12
When Katie McCloskey grabbed a brilliant Antrim goal in the first 30 seconds of Saturday’s Ulster Uner 16 Camogie final at Greenlough, the Antrim fans in the good sized crowd must have felt that things looked good for the Saffrons. However those feelings were short lived, and when Derry hit back right away with two top class points it was clear the Antrim girls had a real battle on their hands.
In the end Derry’s ability to find the back of the Antrim net was the main reason the Oak Leafers took the title, and their ability to get in behind the Antrim defence soon made to clear that the young Saffrons faced an uphill challenge.
Although Antrim hit back with the next three scores, Derry kept in touch until Amy Ferris picked up a poor clearance to crash home a second Antrim goal in the 26th minute. In a great contest there was never much between the sides in a thrilling opening half. Antrim lead for good part of that first half, but two quick goals sent Derry in at the break with a 2-7 to 2-6 lead.
Mary McArthur hit two good points at the start of the second half but the lead changed again when Leah Cassidy took take a pass from Chambers and put Derry in front once more.
Despite another Derry goal in the 40th minute when Aoibh Mulholland set up by Chambers, Antrim hit back to level at 4-8 to 3-11 with a second goal from Katie McCloskey.
However Derry were the stronger team over the last ten minutes and further goals from Player of the Match Aoibh Mulholland and Cassidy sealed a deserved win.
Derry: A McAteer, LMcKaigue, G Draine, C Teague, E McCartney, P Bell, E Griffin, C Conway (0-4 frees), MT McCullagh, E Quinn (1-0), O McCartney, E Murray (0-2), L Cassidy (2-4), C Chambers, A Mulholland (3-1).
Subs: J Shivers for O McCartney (47)
Antrim: Ú McGowan, KR Draine, L Black, A Gillan, C Crawford, SL Kearns, K McNeill, M Devlin, E McNeill, A Ferris (1-1), M McArthur (0-6, 5 frees), E McAllister (0-4, 2 frees), M Laverty, N McNeill, K McCloskey (2-1).
Subs: N Munce for A Gillan (18), M Cunning for KR Draine (42), R Black for K McNeill (48), L Gillan for M Munce (49)
