Ulster U16 Camogie Championship
Down v Antrim at Liatroim Fontenoys
Antrim 8-14 Down 1-6
Antrim qualified for the 2024 Ulster U16 Camogie final with an impressive victory over Down in Leitrim on Sunday. The seeds of victory were sown in an explosive opening half from the girls in saffron and white. A long, early ball from Caoimhe McErlain caused confusion in the Down defence where Cliodhna Thompson was on hand to flick the ball to the net for an Antrim goal in the second minute. Amy McAlister and Marie Laverty soon followed with a point each to open up a five point gap. Antrim registered a second goal in the opening ten minutes when centre forward Eva McNeill soloed through and finished brilliantly to the back of the net. The Antrim forwards were moving well and there was no let up for the Mourne girls. Eimear McCaughan hit two points in quick succession and when McNeill plundered her second goal of the day the writing was on the wall. Down did get some respite when Catlain Faye struck a goal for the home side. But it was only temporary relief because straight from the puc-out Aiofe Fitzsimmons worked the ball upfield to Cliodhna Thompson who rounded her marker and crashed the ball to the down net. Thompson added two points either side of a free from Caitlin Faye for Down and credit to the home side they hit three frees in a row. However at the other end Antrim continued to score at will with points from Caoimhe McErlain, Amy McAlister, Marie Laverty and Eva McNeill they held a commanding advantage at half time 5-8 to 1-5.
In the second half Antrim emptied the bench with the maximum number of subs permitted getting game time. Eva McNeill got her third goal of the game after five minutes. Marie Laverty and Cliodhna Thompson hit a point a piece. Eimear McCaughan then hit two fine goals in a row and Louise McBride finished the scoring for Antrim with two pointed frees against a solitary point for Down in the second half from Aiofe Gilmour. Final score Antrim 8-14 Down 1-6.
Antrim team 1. Mya McKinley 2. Laura Scullion 3. Carly McNamee 4. Laoise Stone 5. Erin McMullan 6. Maeve McAlister (capt) 7. Erinmae Mitchell 8. Caoimhe McErlain (0-1) 9. Aiofe Fitzsimmons 10. Louise McBride (0-2) 11. Eva McNeill (3-1) 12. Marie Laverty (0-3) 13. Amy McAlister (1-2) 14. Eimear McCaughan (2-2) 15. Cliodhna Thompson (2-3).
Subs used: Cara Delaney, Amelie Annette, Cora Pierce, Anna Smyth, Eimear McCloskey, Brid O Kane, Brianna McCloskey, Cara Lynch.
