Doherty Woodshavings Intermediate Camogie Championship semi-final at Cloney, Ahoghill
Ahoghill 2-7 Loughgiel 0-14
Loughgiel survived a late rally by Ahoghill to book their place in Saturday’s Antrim Intermediate Camogie final against Cargin. The Shamrocks led for most of the game and were 0-9 to 0-4 ahead at half time and when they stretched their lead to six early in the second half it appeared as if they would win with a bit to spare. However a goal from Fiona Blaney kept the Cloney girls in the game and when Aine Graham got a second goal in injury time there was just a point between the sides.
The Loughgiel fans, who witnessed a similar finish on Sunday against Cushendall, only in reverse, must have feared the worst but their defence held firm in the final minute to get them over the line.
Loughgiel made a strong start and points from Anna McKillop, Megan McGarry and Shanna Deery had them three clear after five minutes. Two points from Catriona Graham brought Ahoghill back to within a points but Loughiel came back with points from top scorer Anna McKillop and Kirsty McKendry to restore the three points cushion by the end of the opening quarter. Noreen Graham and Aishling O’Connell hit points on either side of one by Loughgiel’s Carlina Sullivan to leave two between the sides, but Loughgiel finished the first half strongly and three points from Anna gave them a 0-9 to 0-4 lead at the break.
When Anna McKillop hit her sixth point of the game early in the second half they were six clear, though Niamh Neeson got it back to four again a minute later. Ahoghill had a penalty appeal turned down soon afterwards and Loughgiel pushed six clear again with a point from Rebecca Higgins but a great solo run and shot by Ahoghill’s Noreen Graham was well saved by Loughgiel goalkeeper Shauna McKillop, though Fiona Blaney was on hand to steer the rebound home from close range.
Anna McKillop continued her great scoring run with three more points, which stretched the Shamrocks lead to four with five minutes left to play.
As the game went into injury time Ahoghill were thrown a lifeline when Catriona Graham was awarded a penalty. Once again Loughgiel goalkeeper Shauna McKillop was equal to the shot but once again Ahoghill were first to the breaking ball and their goalkeeper Aine Graham, who had been moved up the forwards in the last ten minutes, drilled the ball home. Graham’s goal left just a point between the sides but despite having a couple of half chances in the final minutes, Ahoghill could not work an opening and the Shamrocks were through to meet Cargin in Dunsilly on Saturday at 1pm.
Referee – Jerome McAllister (Dunloy)
