Very Camogie League Division 1B 

Antrim 3-10 Limerick 2-5

Antrim Camogs made it three wins out of four when they staged a great second half comeback to beat Limerick at Ballycastle on Saturday. Things looked bleak for the Saffrons when they trailed by 2-4 to 0-2 at one stage in the opening half, but they came out after the interval with all guns blazing and overturned the deficit to earn a deserved win.

Antrim showed just on change from the side that beat Kerry in the last group game, two weeks ago, as Róisín McCormick returned to take over at centre-forward. However the home side struggled during the first half in bad conditions as a strong wind blowing straight across the pitch made things very difficult

The home side struggled to get score during the opening half with just one score from play coming from Cassie McArthur’s point in the 26th minute.

Limerick looked the better team and goals from Niamh Ryan and Caoimhe Lyons had them 2-2 to 0-4 ahead at half time, and in truth they could have been further had it not been for a couple of top class saves from Catriona Grahm in the Antrim goal.

Hope were not high among the antrim followers going in at the break, but the team came out revitalised and showed what they can do. They got the early boost they needed when a good movements between Siobhán McKillop and Caitrín Dobbin set up Annie Lynn for an early goal and when Maeve Kelly added two points in quick succession the mood was clearly lifted. Limerick did hit back to retake the lead again through a Costello free, but a good move involving Loughgiel’s Caitrin Dobbin and Cushendall’s Siobhan McKillop got the home team going again and with 40 minutes on the clock they were two ahead again.

It was score for score for a while as Limerick kept in touch, but the Saffrons produced a strong finishing burst when subtitutes Fionnuala Kelly and Sarah Fyfe both found the net to seal a five point win.

This win keeps Antrim in a strong position and gives them a chance of reaching the league final, if they can pick up two more points when they travel to Dublin next weekend.

Antrim: A Lynn, F Kelly and S Fyfe 1-0 each, R McCormick 0-3 frees, M Kelly and C Dobbin 0-2 each, S McKillop, A McKillop (free) and C McArthur 0-1 each.

Limerick: C Lyons 1-1, N Ryan 1-0, C Lyons 0-3 frees, A Larkin 0-1

Antrim: C Graham, C Patterson, C Conlon, C McKillop, E Coulter, E Martin, F McIntosh, A Boyle, S McKillop, M Kelly, R McCormick, C McArthur, A McKillop, A Lynn, C Dobbin.

Subs: M McGarr for F McIntosh (15), E Johnston for A McKillop (39), E McIntosh for C McArthur (45), F Kelly for M Kelly (48), S Fyfe for A Lynn (51).

Limerick: C Mulqueen, T Dore, M Quaid, A Nelligan, O Kelleher, M Creamor, S Woulfe, D Egan, R Delee, S O’Callaghan, N Ryan, M O’Callaghan, L Fennelly capt., C Costello, C Lyons.

Subs: A Larkin for M O’Callaghan (45), S Cosgrove for L Fennelly (45), Á Reynolds for S O’Callaghan (48)

Referee; P McDonnell (Cavan)