The Karen Coyles Memorial Cup
Cushendall 3-9 Loughgiel 1-1
Ruairi Og retained the Antrim U14 camogie title with a hard-fought win against a gallant Loughgiel side in Ballycastle. The scoreline of Cushendall 3-9 to Loughgiel’s 1-1 does not tell the full story of the game as The Shamrocks matched the girls in maroon and white for long periods. However, a super rear-guard performance from the Dall defence and goalkeeper Ellen McAlister repelled the great majority of the Loughgiel attacks. Cushendall started the game brilliantly and had two goals on the board inside five minutes. The first crashed to the net by Cliodhna Thompson and the second finished off by Aimee McAuley following a goal mouth scramble. By the 12th minute Cushendall had stretched their lead to nine following two points from Cliodhna Thompson either side of a fine score from midfielder Scarlet Kerr-McKillop. Loughgiel did have two goal chances, but Catherine McGarry and Anna Smyth saw their efforts stopped by Ellen McAlister. The Shamrocks pressure finally broke Cushendall’s defence in the 18th minute when wing forward Rosie McGarry hit the roof of the net. However, as half time approached Cliodhna Thompson converted a long range free that had been won by the hard-working Erin McNaughton to leave the score at the short whistle Cushendall 2-4 Loughgiel 1-0.
The teams went at each other again in the second half and it took until the seventh minute for anyone to score. Loughgiel full forward Catherine McGarry had goal on her mind, but a relieved Ellen McAlister watched the shot rise over the crossbar. Cushendall answered back with a point from Cliodhna Thompson and two in a row from Mia McKeegan to stretch their lead to nine points. Loughgiel were throwing everything at Cushendall but the defence stood firm with Aibrean Campbell and Niamh McCollam particularly impressive. At the other end Cliodhna Thompson plundered her second goal of the day and she added two pointed frees and one from play in the closing stages to see Cushendall claim The Karen Coyles Memorial Cup on a scoreline of Cushendall 3-9 Loughgiel 1-1.
It was a great battle in tough conditions and both teams deserve great credit. For Cushendall Ellen McAlister was solid in goals, in front of her Aibrean Campbell, Niamh and Laoise McCollam defended brilliantly. At midfield Tamara Black and Scarlet Kerr-McKillop got through a mountain of work and up front Erin McNaughton, Mia McKeegan, Laoiseach McNaughton and Cliodhna Thompson played well. For Loughgiel Maeve Scullion made a number of great saves, Kelsie Laverty and Caoimhe McGarry defended well. At midfield Anna Smyth and Caoimhe Bateson gave everything and in the forwards Rosie McGarry and Sophie McGarry gave it their all.
Scorers Cushendall: Cliodhna Thompson 2-6 (0-3fs) Aimee McAuley 1-0, Mia McKeegan 0-2, Scarlet Kerr-McKillop 0-1.
Loughgiel: Rosie McGarry 1-0, Catherine McGarry 0-1.
Teams Cushendall 1. Ellen McAlister 2. Olivia McAlister 3. Laoise McCollam(capt) 4. Sara Black 5. Aibrean Campbell 6. Anna Birt 7. Niamh McCollam 8. Scarlet Kerr-McKillop 9. Tamara Black 10. Mia McKeegan 11. Erin McNaughton 12. Laoiseach McNaughton 13. Aimee McAuley 14. Cliodhna Thompson 15. Lucia Trainor
Subs Aiofe Molloy, Gabriella McNeill, Saoirse Scullion, Aimee Hill, Emily Elliott, Elana McQuillan, Caoimhe McDonnell, Catherine McCormick, Emma Lynn.
Loughgiel 1. Maeve Scullion 2. Rebecca Laverty 3. Caela Casey 4. Ciara Breen 5. Caoimhe McGarry 6. Kelsie Laverty 7. Caoimhe Cunningham 8. Caoimhe Bateson(capt) 9. Anna Smyth 10. Rosie McGarry 11. Megan Dickson 12. Rose McMullan 13. Sophie Casey 14. Catherine McGarry 15. Eva Connolly
Subs Charly Ann Robinson, Grace Mullan, Blaithnaid Irvine, Caitlin Watt, Erin Mullan, Katie McFadden, Orlaith McKillop
