Antrim Camogie Feile A 2024
Semi Final’s and Final
In the first semi- final Portglenone faced St. Paul’s. Many expected Portglenone to advance to the final but the girls from The Shaws Road started with real purpose. They exploded out of the traps and by the tenth minute they had established a 2-2 to 0-2 lead, their goals coming from Abaigh McNally and Ellie Lynn. Portglenone came back with points from Jojo Darragh and a goal from Aiofe McGrogan but it was St. Pauls who held a slender one point advantage at half time 2-2 to 1-3.
The game was in the melting pot and there to be won and in the second half and it was St. Paul’s who showed the greater resolve and with goals from Aiofe O’ Hare and Chloe Neeson and a pointed free from Amy Gault they claimed the win on a scoreline of St. Paul’s 4-3 Portglenone 3-4.
St. Paul’s scores Ellie Lynn 1-1, Aiofe O’ Hare 1-0, Abaigh McNally 1-0, Amy Gault 0-2.
Portglenone scores Jojo Darragh 0-3, Aiofe McGrogan 1-1, Gemma McAuley 1-0, Eva McCann 1-0.
In the second semi final Cushendall took on old rivals Loughgiel. The same sides contested the U-14 final last year and a tight game was expected. It was Loughgiel who got out of the traps quickest with an early goal from Anna Smyth. However Cushendall began to settle into the game. Tamara Black sent a long ball into the Loughgiel square where Cliodhna Thompson gathered possession and finished to the net. A further two goals and two points for the Ruairis from Cliodhna Thompson had them six ahead at the break 3-2 to 1-2.
In the second half Cushendall again stamped their authority on the game. Cliodhna Thompson got 1-2 and with points added by Tamara Black(0-2) and Mia McKeegan(0-1) they ran out winners on a score of Cushendall 4-7 Loughgiel 2-2.
Cushendall scores Cliodhna Thompson 4-4, Tamara Black 0-2, Mia McKeegan 0-1
Loughgiel scores Anna Smyth 2-1, Roise McGarry 0-1.
In the final it was surprise package St. Paul’s who faced reigning champions Cushendall. The two teams had faced off the previous week in the group stages where Cushendall ran out winners 2-3 to 0-1. However the final was to prove a much closer affair. St. Paul’s moved Ellie Lynn to full back and along with Orla Munce they defended brilliantly. Cushendall however were still able to work themselves into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead at the short whistle with points from Cliodhna Thompson(0-2) Tamara Black(0-1) and Aiofe Molloy(0-1) to Amy Gault’s pointed free for the Shaws Road girls.
The second half turned into a real battle. Tamara Black exchanged points with Amy Gualt but what looked like the critical score came with five minutes left of the clock Abaigh McNally broke a couple of tackles and finished to the net to draw St. Paul’s level. The momentum seemed to be with St. Pauls but despite a couple of attacks they couldn’t edge their noses in front thanks to superb defending from Niamh McCollam and Aibrean Campbell. With seconds ticking away Dall centre half back Erin McNaughton won possession around the middle third. She went on a solo run and from fully 40 yards her shot found the top corner of the St. Pauls net. The poc out was taken and things were frantic around the middle of the field but the Dall girls stood strong until the final whistle. Final score Cushendall 1-5 St. Paul’s 1-2.
And so it was Cushendall who claimed their third Feile title on the trot. However great credit must go to St. Paul’s who came so close to causing an upset.
Cushendall scores Erin McNaughton 1-0, Tamara Black 0-2, Cliodhna Thompson 0-2, Aiofe Molloy 0-1.
St. Paul’s scores Abaigh McNally 1-0, Amy Gault 0-2.