Antrim Ladies Football Division 2.

Ciceams Ard Eoin 1-12 v St Endas 3-6

Ciceams Ard Eoin and St Endas played out a very competitive and entertaining draw on Sunday evening at Fennell Park in the first league game of the season.

Having missed three early frees in the first 5 minutes Ard Eoin took a four points to nil lead through scores from Kacey McLaughlin, Evie McAllister and two frees from Aideen McDonnell. St Endas recovered to bring the score to 0-4 to 0-3 before two further frees from the accurate Aideen McDonnell stretched the lead to three in her teams favour.

St Endas again fought back to bring the score to 0-6 to 0-5 before Ciceams responded with two excellent points from Evie McAllister and Cadhla Clover. The ever cool McDonnell added two more frees to bring her first half total to six from six giving her a 100% record.

With the half time break approaching and Ard Eoin leading by 0-10 to 0-4 St Endas slipped in for a late goal to close the gap to three points.

Half time score: Ard Eoin 0-10 v St Endas 1-4

On the re-start Anna McGarry raced through to add an excellent point before St Endas scored two fortuitous goals to lead 3-5 – 0-11.

It looked at this stage that it wasn’t going to be Ard Eoin’s day however with around seven minutes left to play the excellent Anna McGarry raced through from 70 meters to score a wonderful goal to bring the sides level. This was followed by what could have been the winning point from the tireless Ashling Anderson however St Endas equalised late on from a free.

Ciceams had 2 opportunities to clinch the win but both went wide to leave the final score Ciceams Ard Eoin 1-12 v St Endas 3-6.

Overall this was an excellent start to the campaign from a young and inexperienced Ard Eoin side with many excellent performances throughout the team. The effort and will to win from everyone was clearly there for all to see.

Special mention must go to Evie McAlister who covered every blade of grass from full forward, chipped in with two points, and won a number of frees with her pacey direct running.

On the down side there were a few injuries picked up by the excellent Orlaith Lynch, Grace McAllister and Amiee McAloran. Hopefully nothing too serious and we’ll see them back soon.

Ard Eoin team and scorers: Saorla Maguire, Niamh McAuley, Colleen McLaughlin, Orlaith Lynch, Ailisa Frame, Lauren Coleman, Grace McAllister, Ashling Anderson (0-1), Anna McGarry (1-1), Tiarna McAuley, Kacey McLaughlin (0-1), Aideen McDonnell (0-6 Frees), Cadhla Glover (0-1), Evie McAllister (0-2) Fiona McKenna. Subs: Aimee McAloran, Natasha Rooney, Erin Mailey, Derbhla Carmichael, Eve Morgan, Cliodhna Lynch.