Senior Camogie Championship semi-final
Ballycastle 1-11 Dunloy 1-4
McQuillan’s Ballycastle produced a battling second half performance to overcome the challenge of favourites Dunloy in a fiercely contest Senior Camogie championship semi-final in Loughgiel on Saturday.
Cuchullian’s looked in a strong position when they led by 2-0 to 0-2 after ten minutes thanks to goals from Brid Magill and Katie Molloy but the Ballycastle defence tightened up considerably after Molloy’s goal and would concede only four points for the remainder of the game.
The winners produced an intensity and work rate that knocked Dunloy out of their stride and some of their blocking and closing down was right out of the top drawer.
They struck with a goal of their own through Fay McIntosh, 9 minutes into the second half and went on to outscore their opponent by 0-7 to 0-2 for the remainder of the game to run out worthy winners.
McIntosh pointed Ballycastle ahead in the opening minute as her side opened strongly before Bronagh Magill kicked wide from close range at the other end when a goal looked eminent.
The opening goal was not long coming however with Brid Magill racing clear on goal and she forced the ball home following a goalmouth scramble to give her side the lead after 7 minutes.
Shannon Graham replied from a pointed free for the ‘Castle’ but when Katie Molloy got through for Dunloy’s second goal with ten minutes on the clock the Cuchullian’s looked to be taking control.
The Ballycastle defence tightened up after this and the Black & Ambers began to get on top but despite winning a lot more possession than their opponents they were finding it difficult to break down a Dunloy rear guard where Eilish Kearns and Katie Laverty were giving nothing away.
A couple more converted frees from Shannon Graham was all Ballycastle could manage for the remainder of the half with Dunloy’s only reply coming from Aine Magill to leave her side leading 2-1 to 0-3 at the break.
Ballycastle stepped up the intensity in the second half though it was Dunloy who scored first with Katie Molloy sending over a fee but it would be another 14 minutes before they would register another score.
Mid-fielder Niamh Donnelly got the ball rolling for Ballycastle with a pointed free in the 6th minute and when Fay McIntosh fired to the net after a slick build up, there was only a point between the sides.
Maeve Kelly then set up Niamh Donnelly from a quickly taken free and she sent over the equaliser before adding another converted free to put her side ahead for only the second time in the game.
The Cuchullian’s were still battling hard and getting ball into their forwards but they were getting no time to settle and were being turned over or blocked down by a hungry Ballycastle defence.
At the other end Shannon Graham moved Ballycastle two ahead with an excellent point at the end of the third quarter and the girls from the North Antrim coast were gaining in confidence and belief.
Dunloy were now living on scraps but Brid Magill split the uprights to close the gap to one before Graham restored her side’s two point advantage with a fine strike at the other end in the 20th minute.
A good point from Aine Magill for Dunloy closed the gap to one yet again with eight minutes remaining and it still looked anybody’s game as both sides rang the changes.
It was Ballycastle who turned the screw going down the home straight however with Niamh Donnelly pointing a free in the 24th minute and then adding another from a ‘45’ before substitute Aine Donnelly concluded the scoring with a good point in the 30th minute.
Bal;lycastle will now meet the winners of Loughgiel and Cushendall who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday with holders Shamrocks favourites to win that one but Ruairi Og’s will take heart from underdogs, Ballycastle’s performance against Dunloy in this one.
Ballycastle: 1 Danielle McMichael, 2 Niamh Anne Donnelly, 3 Catherine McShane, 4 Aoife Toner, 5 Maebh O’Neill, 6 Kathryn Donnelly, 7 Enya McShane, 8 Niamh Donnelly, 9 Shannagh Heggarty, 10 Maeve Kelly, 11 Fay McIntosh, 12 Fionnuala Kelly, 13 Shannon Graham, 14 Samantha McKillen, 15 Janey McIntosh.
Subs Used: Aine Donnelly, Ella McIntosh, Riana McBride, Caitlin Heggarty
Dunloy: 1 Mary Martin, 2 Emier McMullan, 3 Eilish Kearns, 4 Katherine Mullan, 5 Katie Laverty, 6 Caoimhe Conlon, 7 Katherine Boyle, 8 Eimear Johnston, 9 Sarah McIlhatton, 10 Erin Elliott, 11 Bronagh Magill, 12 Caoimhe Molloy, 13 Brid Magill, 14 Katie Molloy, 15 Aine Magill.
Subs Used: Erin Traynor, 17 Cassie McArthur, Nicole O’Neill, Aoife McAllister
Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)
