LGFA Under 16 Ulster Championship
Antrim 10-16 Fermanagh 1-3
Match Report by Martin Sherlock
Antrim u16 ladies confirmed their progress to an Ulster semifinal with a comprehensive win against Fermanagh at a bright and breezy Fennell Park Ardoyne.
The game started with a quick fire exchange of goals when the Erne girls scored straight from the throw in and the young Saffs replied immediately through the ever dangerous JoJo Darragh.
From that point on Antrim dominated the scoring and allowed Fermanagh a single point from a free kick. In that time Antrim forwards were insatiable as they moved the ball at speed and picked off score after score. Darragh added another goal and three points while her Moneyglass club mate Ruby McErlain a hatrick of majors in an effervescent display of finishing.
Anna Adams 0-2 Aoibhean Monaghan 0-1 Erin Stewart 1-0 and Leah Stewart 1-0 were picking off scores to ease Antrim into a comfortable halftime lead 6-6 to 1-1
Antrim made wholesale changes at halftime replacing 13 players and yet the style and intensity of their play seemed uninterrupted.
Naomh Brid’s Katie McKavanagh produced a quick fire 2-4 while young McErlain added a further 1-2 to finish with a personal total of 4-2 on a day that showed how much she has matured at this level.
Antrim players continued to show their versatility with half backs and half forwards interchanging and continuing to pick off scores. Aoife Rice, Brooke Largey, Keely O’Mullan and Evie McAllister all scoring excellent points to finish off team moves.
The performance now sets Antrim up well for another crunch game against Donegal next Saturday but with their attack in good form and with a midfield duo of Anna Rice and Laura Scullion providing plenty of possession the Saffs are looking ready for the challenge.
Orlaith Lynch in nets and the assured play of skipper Seana Bradley, Siobhan McGurk, Amelie Annett and Aoife Mitchell along with the energy of Aine McCavana, Aoife Fitzsimons and Lila McCann the girls look more than ready for the challenge ahead.
