Ulster LGFA Under 16 Championship

Donegal 1-7 Antrim 2-10

Report by Martin Sherlock – Pics by Niall Mitchell

Antrim playing in the change kit of black managed to christen them with their first win in 4 outings   It was testament to the skill and attitude of both sets of players that they managed to play a game of such quality in the worst of conditions.

Antrim started brightly playing into a swirling wind and were rewarded early with penalty after some clumsy defending. The spot kick was expertly dispatched to the net by Erin Stewart to help get the long journey out of their legs. Stewart would add a further 2 points in the half before Donegal responded to the challenge to lead 1-3 to 1-2 with 5 minutes left in the first half. However the industrious Jojo Darragh would impact the end of the half feeding club mate Ruby McErlain to score a point that seemed to swerve in several directions. Mcerlain would finish the half with an opportunist goal to give the Saffs a 2-3 to 1-3 halftime lead.

Antrim began the second half playing with the better conditions and started to look more fluent with quick ball movement. Points from Stewart and McErlain gave Antrim a hold on the game that they would never relinquish.

Replacements Katie McKavanagh and Hannah Mead came into the forward line to change the style slightly and Antrim tried to push home the advantage.

Credit to  Donegal they continued to peg Antrim back. However with the experience of skipper Seana Bradley and Amelie Annett coupled with the tight marking of Aoife Mitchell and Aideen O’Donnell the young Saffs held firm and ended the game with control and maturity well beyond their years. Highlighted when after a 3 minute period of possession Leah Stewart cut through the Donegal defence to complete the scoring as Antrim emerged victorious.

Donegal 1-7 Antrim 2-10.

The win has secured Antrim a home semifinal against Ulster giants Monaghan in a couple of weeks time. That should be another opportunity for this young team to test themselves and continue their development.

Antrim Scores.

Erin Stewart1-4

Ruby McErlain 1-2

Aoife Fitzsimons 0-1

Aoibhean Monaghan 0-1

Leah Stewart 0-1

Katie McKavanagh 0-1