LGFA Ulster Under 16 Championship

Antrim 1-14 Donegal 1-11

In a game that saw all the seasons descend on Fennell Park Antrim U16s continued their quest for back to back Ulster and All Ireland titles.

Starting with the wind in their faces Antrim opened the scoring with a fine score from Anna Rice and then relied on the free taking of Erin Stewart to keep ahead.

The game played in dreadful conditions was constantly interrupted for frees as the weather was hard to cope with.

Donegal had their own expert free taker with Mia O Donnell keeping the points ticking over for the Tir Connell girls.

The movement and support play from the Saffs was a joy to watch but some errant finishing and determined defence kept the game tight at the half Antrim 0-7 Donegal 0-6.

The second half began with and exchange of points and then a penalty awarded to Donegal. Expertly dispatched to the net by O Donnell again it gave Donegal the lead for the first and only time.

Showing the resilience this group have become known for Antrim immediately hit back when a free flowing move created a goal chance for the excellent Stewart.

The Saffs continued to push and pass their way to keep scoring while Donegal showed great character to chip away at the Antrim lead.

As the game progressed Antrim re energised their team with players coming off the bench to add extra danger in the forward line.

Served well throughout by the excellent Sally Scullion, Seana Bradley and Siobhan McGurk at the back and the energy of Aoife Fitzsimons, Leah Stewart, Aoibhean Monaghan and Jojo Darragh pushing forward this was a team performance. It also cannot go unnoticed that Erin Stewart scored a flawless 1-7 to bring Antrim home.

The victory sets Antrim on course to an Ulster semifinal and it has been built on an interchangeable panel of players all committed to supporting each other on and off the pitch.

The return fixture in two weeks time should be another close encounter.