Antrim 9:14 Leitrim 0:3

Antrim ladies u16 team produced a devastating display of attacking football against a gallant Leitrim squad to book their place in the final.

A fine save by Antrim’s goalkeeper Holly MacGahey in the opening minute was a worrying start for the young Saffs but from theN on it was one way traffic.

Antrim with disciplined and clever defence kept Leitrim to a single point at halftime. Going forward the Antrim girls were sensational with rapid exchange of passes creating openings from all angles. In a pulsating display Katie McCloskey 3-1 Aoibhean Monaghan 1-3 Erin Stewart 0-2 Hanna Donaghy 1-1 and Anna Rice 0-1 were at times unplayable. Leading 5-8 to 0-1 at the half Antrim made a number of changes.

A resilient Leitrim team started the second half with the opening point but the Saffs were quickly back to their scoring best and Aoibhean Monaghan amassed a further 4-1 finishing off slick teamwork and passing. Anna McGarry added a point while Anna Rice and Amelie Annett finished off a couple of flowing Antrim moves.

In a total team display that was epitomised by hard work and fast flowing football Antrim progress to the final.

It would be easy to forget how well the defence played in such a score line but Caoimhe Scullion Leah Cassidy and Nicole Munce were in fine form for the victors.

Manager Martin Sherlock stated that the girls deserved great credit for all their commitment to date. He also thanked the parents for always having the girls at training and paid tribute to his coaching team of Sean Maguire, Clare Keenan and Barry Hotchkiss.

Antrim will now play Clare on July 16th.