Wexford v Antrim U16A All Ireland Shield 23rd February 2025
Wexford 1-05 Antrim 3-08
Pitch 4 National Games Development Centre, Abbotstown
With six games postponed due to the current weather, it was a relief to see the U16A Shield game go ahead in Abbotstown today. By the time the squad arrived, rain had eased off and some sunshine broke through the cloudy sky, but the wind was persistent throughout the match and posed a challenge for both sides.
Antrim enjoyed the wind on their backs for the first half and built-up an airborne total of eight crucial points and a goal from Aedin Vallely to Wexford’s 0-01 before the half time whistle.
With the wind on their backs in the second half, Wexford looked comfortable taking their points and indeed added another four and a goal but Antrim’s defence was immense and the work rate from the midfield impressed their management team with frequent calls of encouragement.
Antrim’s goalkeeper, Maeve Scullion was replaced due to an injury not long after the restart, by Mia Carlin and her puck outs into the wind were an asset to Antrim, helping to push Wexford back as far as possible, giving Antrim’s half forwards an opportunity to win the sliotar and feed forward into Cliodhna Thompson, Aedin Vallely and Adria McAllister for Antrim’s three goals.
Antrim will now play Waterford on Sunday 9th March in round three of the shield, details TBC.
Antrim panel and scorers
Mia Scullion, Kiera McLaughlin, Laoise McCollam, Isabelle Martin, Hannah Mead, Fiadh Sands, Amy Gault, Caoimhe McErlain 0-01, Anna Smyth 0-01, Tamara Black 0-01, Eimear Ward 1f, Tegan Cassidy 0-01, JoJo Darragh 0-02 (1f), Aedin Vallely 1-00, Cliodhna Thompson 1-01
Subs Orla Munce, Caela Casey, Adria McAllister 1-0, Bronagh Doherty, Mia Carlin