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.
All Ireland U16A Shield Wexford v Antrim in Abbotstown
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.
Limerick v Antrim Very National Div 1B League 22nd February 2025
Limerick 0-07 Antrim 2-10
Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran
Limerick’s Aine Foley closely followed by Antrim’s Amy Boyle and Erin Coulter
A goal and seven points in the first half compared to Limerick’s 0-02 tally, set the Saffrons up to face a four or five point wind advantage for Limerick in the second half, as the Treaty County won the toss and opted to play into the wind in the first half.
Antrim’s early goal from Caitrin Dobbin came from a spearhead attack from Eavanne Martin, finding Dobbin with a surreptitious pass into the box requiring a mere flick to ripple Limerick’s goal net.
Antrim were the dominant force in the first half, walking in at the short whistle with an eight point lead but left an unanswered question on the pitch, namely would Limerick be able to come back with the calculated advantage.
Match referee, Brian Kearney, started proceedings promptly and Limerick was soon knocking on Antrim’s door, with goalkeeper, Caitriona Graham getting the better of an advance and winning a foul. The long puck eventually worked its way to Antrim’s Eavanne Martin, and a running Caitrin Dobbin would be the beneficiary of the pass that fooled Limerick’s full back line, resulting in the green flag being raised within the first two minutes of the game.
Limerick were on the reply and had Antrim’s goalkeeper, Graham, sending the sliotar back out only to be turned over by Donna Kenny for her point, making that Limerick’s first score in the match after seven minutes.
Antrim’s Nicole McAtamney built up Antrim’s early lead, cruising two frees between the uprights for two fouls, one stemming from a dropped hurl and the other a push in the back. One of those white flags could have been neutralised by Limerick’s Orlaith Kelliher, with a superb high ball catch but drifted the shot wide of the mark.
McAtamney wasn’t able to cash in on another two frees as the sliotar drifted wide of the uprights, telling a tale that factoring in the wind would be paramount today.
Nearly twenty minutes would elapse in the game before Antrim’s Eavanne Martin notched the Saffrons up a point on the manual scoreboard, and Martin would return within the minute after Antrim’s Clare McKillop managed to dig out the sliotar from an intense ruck, finding Martin and a subsequent point.
Limerick’s Laura Southern would take a push in the back, finding some satisfaction as she cruised her free between Antrim’s uprights, with scores on the board Limerick 0-02 Antrim 1-04.
An on-form Martin would step into the shoes of last week’s top scorer, Dervla Cosgrove , sitting out this game due to sickness, and converted two more fouls into points from a hold and an over carry of the sliotar.
With only two minutes remaining in the first half, Antrim’s Dobbin couldn’t get an angle for a green flag route, instead took her point, leaving the short whistle to register Limerick 0-02 Antrim 1-07 on the board.
Antrim’s first half was built on dominance as the mid and half forward line of Boyle, McAtamney, McIntosh, McNaughton and Martin were instrumental in pushing Limerick back into their own half for much of that portion of the game, but much was to play for in the second half.
The start of the second half witnessed Limerick drifting a crucial free wide of the post after only two minutes, that would have possibly ignited a resurgence of scoring activity in the Limerick camp, but it would be Antrim that would raise the first white flag, as Lucia McNaughton delivered the sliotar to an advancing Martin for her fourth point of the day.
Antrim’s Lucia McNaughton works the jab lift as Limerick’s Emily O’Halloran eyes up the steal
Limerick’s supporters might have been basking in the late winter sun, but Antrim would have to weather a Limerick storm for almost fifteen minutes as the tables were turned and Limerick managed to push Antrim back into their own half, delivering four points without reply, two of those from Southern, Kenny and Larkin.
Antrim would break that pattern whenever McAtamney delivered to Dobbin and onto Martin for Antrim’s reply after the nineteenth minute and in just over a minute later, Martin made a tenacious advance into Limerick’s green flag zone but Limerick’s Aine Foley, diffused the tension only for Limerick to succumb to an advancing Dobbin, pulling on the sliotar for her second goal in today’s game.
Drama would unfold in the twenty forth minute as Antrim’s Katie Molloy ventured deep into Gillane territory and Kearney, having spotted Molloy being held and pulled to the ground, wasted no time in awarding a penalty. Antrim’s Eavanne Martin stepped up for the penalty, but Gillane had the makings of the save as the sliotar flew down the centre.
Antrim’s Caoimhe McNaughton looks for the offload as Limerick’s Donna Kenny tracks the sliotar
An air of confidence had worked itself up in the Antrim camp by now, and the bench was starting to find effective game time, as Eimear Johnston took a superb catch from Annie Lynn, and took her score that would be Antrim’s last of the day.
Limerick’s primary free taker, Caoimhe Costelloe was keen to drop the sliotar into Antrim’s goal area for much of the second half, when the opportunity arose, but when Orlaith Kelliher floated her point high over the bar on the thirtieth minute, Antrim knew the game was all but over and as the long whistle signalled the end of the match, the scoreboard registered Limerick 0-07 Antrim 2-10.
Up to now, Antrim have enjoyed a good run in the league with two wins from two games. Round three is a home game in Ballycastle to Westmeath on Saturday 1st March, with a throw in time of 2pm.
Limerick starters and scorers
Sarah Gillane, Aoife Nelligan, Muireann Creamer, Aine Foley, Shauna Cunningham, Emily O’Halloran, Teresa Dore, Mairead Ryan, Ailbhe Larkin 0-01, Caoimhe Costelloe 0-02, Lizanna Boylan, Stephanie Woulfe, Donna Kenny 0-02, Orlaith Kelliher 0-01, Laura Southern 0-01f
A look back at Antrim’s last meeting with the Deise in 2023
Pic by Brendan McTaggart
Allianz Hurling League, Division One Group B
Waterford 1-22
Antrim 0-17
Sunday 26 February 2023
Brendan McTaggart reports from Fraher Field, Dungarvan.
Antrim put in a much improved performance on Sunday on the south coast against Waterford but the home side finished strong to see off Darren Gleeson’s men. It took the introduction of Deise star Austin Gleeson to ignite Davy Fitgerald’s men with the Mount Sion man landing five points in a 25 minute cameo where he showed his class.
Antrim’s challenge took a massive dent when captain Eoghan Campbell saw red in the 23rd minute for an off the ball incident with Reuben Halloran. The Saffrons were ahead by three at the time and posing plenty of questions of the Waterford defence but the numerical advantage and playing into the wind in the second half took its toll in the end.
Two ahead at half time, Antrim played with more precision and poise in the second half that may have been lacking in previous matches. They managed to stay ahead of the home side for long periods of the second half with Conal Cunning’s frees prevalent but with 10 minutes of the 70 remaining, the home side and Aussie Gleeson found another gear.
The Waterford goal came from the penalty spot early in the second half, ‘keeper Tiarnan Smyth going close to Patrick Curran’s drive while Antrim didnt have the same luck from their penalty awarded late in the game. Gerard Walsh’s effort spectacularly saved by Shaun O’Brien with the sliotar destined for the top corner.
It felt like a turning point at the time. A major then and Antrim could have kicked on, as it was the home side saw off the Antrim challenge….
WATERFORD: Shaun O’Brien; Conor Gleeson, Conor Prunty (0-02), Conor Ryan (0-01); Shane McNulty, Calum Lyons (0-03), Jack Fagan (0-01); Gavin Fives, Paddy Leavey (0-01); Jamie Barron (0-01), Patrick Curran (1-04, 1-00 pen, 0-02 frees), Neil Montgomery (0-01); Jack Prendergast (0-01), DJ Foran (0-01), Reuben Halloran
Pic by Brendan McTaggart
Subs: Carthach Daly for S McNulty (HT), Austin Gleeson (0-05, 4 frees) for R Halleron (45), Padraig Fitzgerald (0-01) for P Curran (54), Patrick Fitzgerald for N Montgomery (61), Colin Dunford for P Leavey (66)
ANTRIM: Tiernan Smyth; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Stephen Rooney; Gerard Walsh (0-01 free), Eoghan Campbell, Conal Bohill; Michael Bradley (0-01), Paul Boyle (0-01); Keelan Molloy (0-02), Niall McKenna, Neil McManus; Conal Cunning (0-11, 10 frees), James McNaughton, Seaan Elliott.
Subs: Niall O’Connor (0-01) for C Bohill (33), Eoin O’Neill for S Elliott (HT), Nigel Elliott for N McManus (46), Joe Maskey for P Boyle (57), Rian McMullan for N McKenna (70+3)
ANTRIM moved clear of Leitrim at the foot of the Division Three standings with a comfortable 4-16-1-11 win at Corrigan Park on Saturday,
The Saffrons were ruthless in the opening half and had four-goals before the midway point. Marc Jordan and Niall Burns netted within the opening quarter of an hour and Dominic McEnhill followed up after his penalty was saved by Daire O’Shea.
On the stroke of half time Fionn Nagle poked home a fourth from close range and despite Donal Casey pulling a goal back for the visitors in the closing stages, the second half was a more than professional performance from Andy McEntee’s charges- who move onto four-points from their opening four encounters.
Without the suspended duo of Conor Stewart and Conor Hand, McEntee reshuffled his pack with Niall Burns and Ryan Murray coming into the starting 15, in what was Murray’s 100th appearance in the Saffron jersey.
Antrim were off the mark early when Ruairi McCann popped over from a Mick Byrne pass but Paul Honeyman converted a close range free less than a minute later.
The visitors twice led through Darren Cox and Keith Keegan points and in between times Dominic McEnhill steered a high free over.
Ruairi McCann thought he had netted his sides opening goal when he got a fist to Fionn Nagles high ball, but after consultation with his officials, referee Conor Dourneen disallowed it for a square ball.
They wouldn’t have long to wait as it arrived on the 11th minute. Marc Jordan slipped a pass to Niall Burns and he returned to Jordan who found the top corner with an angled shot to make it 1-2-0-3.
McEnhill doubled his account after cutting in on the left and bending a shot over before a second goal arrived with little over a quarter of an hour gone.
Ryan Murray picked out club-mate Jordan who played a one-two with Ruairi McCann before delivering a low ball across the face of goal that Niall Burns charged in to meet and bundle to the net.
Burns pointed within 60-seconds and the Saffrons had the opportunity to extend their lead when Marc Jordan was caught by Kieran Glancy as he was about to pull the trigger and Dourneen signalled for a penalty.
Antrim’s Finn Nagle goes highest to break down one of Mick Byrne’s kick-outs
Responsibility fell to Domonic McEnhill whose shot was kept out initially by Daire O’Shea in the Leitrim goal, but McEnhill got to the loose ball ahead of O’Shea and scrambled in to make it 3-4-0-5.
Without a score in 18 minutes a Tom Prior point lifted the visitors and subsequent scores from Jack Foley and Daire O’Shea followed before the interval.
Antrim remained in the ascendancy and added a further 1-2 before the half concluded. Niall Burns and Ruairi McCann hit back-to-back scores in response to Prior’s and on the 34th minute Fionn Nagle netted from close range after Mick Byrne and Dermot McAleese combined in the build-up and an injury time Jack Lenehan point had his side 4-7-0-6 ahead at the midway point.
Jack Lenehan doubled his tally within three-minutes of the restart, but Leitrim started the second period brightly as Tom Prior and Darren Cox both doubled his personal tallies.
Back-to-back scores followed from Ruairi McCann and half time substitute Ryan McQuillan but Paul Honeyman doubled his tally for the afternoon as the sides had cancelled each other out in the half by the 50th minute.
A converted Dominic McEnhill free was followed by a fisted Niall Burns point as Antrim attempted to move through the gears, though Leitrim were much improved and replied through substitute Donal Casey.
Half time substitute McQuillan doubled his account and a further goal chance somehow went a begging as Conhuir Johnston gathered a high flighted ball into him on the edge of the small square and his low goal-bound shot was turned behind by Daire O’Shea.
Instead, Leitrim found a consolation strike through a bullet of a shot from Donal Casey that flew across the face of goal and in to make it 4-13-1-10.
The hosts lifted things in the aftermath with Niall Burns helping a Eunan Walsh shot over the bar and Conhuir Johnston swinging a shot over.
The final two points were exchanged with Paul Honeyman sending a high shot over and Ryan McQuillan adding a point at the other end after Paddy McBride had a shot cleared off the line in the build-up.
In the end, Antrim ran out comfortable winners to move clear of Leitrim at the foot of the table with three-games remaining.
Ryan Murray who played his 100th game in the Saffron jersey in Saturday’s win over Leitrim’s at Corrigan Park
ANTRIM: M Byrne, E McCabe, E Walsh, J Morgan, J McAuley, J Lenehan (0-2), D McAleese, M Jordan (1-0), E Quinn, N Burns (1-4), P McBride, F Nagle (1-0), R Murray, R McCann (0-3), D McEnhill (1-3, 0-1f). Subs: R McQuillan (0-3) for R Murray (HT), C Johnston (0-1) for R McCann (59), J McDonnell for J McAuley (65), P King for E McCabe (70+1), S O’Callaghan for N Burns (70+1).
LEITRIM: D O’Shea (0-1), C McHugh, S Harkin, E McLoughlin, J Rooney, M Diffley, E McNamara, C Quinn, K Keegan (0-1), J Flynn, P Honeyman (0-3), J Foley (0-1), B Guckian, D Cox (0-2), T Prior (0-2). Subs: K Glancey for C McHugh (13), C McHugh for S Harkin (HT), K Beirne for J Rooney (HT), D Casey (1-1) for B Guckian (46), K McHugh for E McLoughlin (59)
REFEREE: Conor Dourneen (Donegal)
TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
Seaan Elliott move out to join his brother Nigel at midfield
Allianz Hurling League
Roinn 1b – Round 4
Antrim v Waterford
Sunday 23 February
Venue: Corrigan Park
Throw in: 1:30pm
Referee: Caymon Flynn (Westmeath)
Brendan McTaggart looks ahead to tomorrow’s visit of Waterford
Davy Fitzgerald has made six changes to the Antrim starting 15 for Sunday’s visit of Waterford – three of them notably in the full back line. Eoin McFerran, Rory McCloskey and Stephen Rooney coming in for Declan McCloskey, Gerard Walsh and Paddy Burke. Conall Bohill comes back into the starting 15 at the expense of Scott Walsh while Ryan McCambridge and Joseph McLaughlin have been named at 11 and 13 – Conor Johnston and Niall McKenna missing out.
The loss of Burke in the starting line up is a huge blow given his performances over a sustained period of time. He has been Antrim’s most consistent and top performer and his 2024 season was rightfully acknowledged with an All-Star nominee. It’s not ideal to be without the Cushendall star but rumour has it he has been playing through an injury and perhaps the trip and subsequent match in Tullamore was a step too far.
James McNaughton is once again on the edge of the square
McCambridge starting on the ’45 is as close to a like for like replacement for McKenna – both men will win more than their share of ball both in the air and in rucks if needed while have a keen eye for a score.
McFerran was Dunloy’s ‘go-to’ man when it came to man marking during their run to the All Ireland club final a couple of years ago. His performance against Conor Cooney of St Thomas and TJ Reid in the final itself belittled his age and given the system Antrim are looking to deploy, he would be tailor made for the role in the full back line.
Joseph McLaughlin has looked sharp for the U20s in their two matches in the Ulster Cup. He along with Cormac McKeown have excelled and with another couple of weeks before the U20s play in that decider, giving him a starting berth against Waterford is a good call. He’s got speed and agility, will go around his marker in a phone box and a keen eye for goal. When you’re looking to create space in attack, there isn’t many better than McLaughlin to make the most of that opportunity.
Keelan Molloy lines out at right half forward
The Offaly game was a largely forgettable 70 minutes of hurling for Antrim. A decent opening 20 or so minutes was followed by some 40 minutes of errors that were punished by an Offaly side who visibly grew in confidence as the game progressed.
If there are any positives to take from that outing in Tullamore and there aren’t many, Ryan Elliott showed once again he’s one of the best in the business between the sticks. A series of top saves kept the scoreboard from looking even worse and while he might be kicking himself over the Biffo’s second goal, that would be harsh. A bouncing sliotar at speed, a ‘keepers nightmare.
Too often Antrim were second best in almost every facet of the game. Tackling, rucks, delivery, decision making, it fell well below the standards this group have produced in recent times. On the face of it, a match against a Waterford side who have a point to prove is far from the ideal scenario. The Deise were defeated by Carlow three weeks ago, leaving Dr Cullen Park empty handed with a score line of 2-21 to 1-19 in what was their first outing of the year. They recovered from that upset to see off the challenge of Laois 1-27 to 0-20 but given their favourites tag to be promoted to 1A (along with Dublin), they will have hoped for better in the opening two games and know that any further slip ups will leave them with an uphill task of achieving their promotion goals.
After Sunday, Antrim have a trip to Carlow and a home match against Laois. If they are to maintain their status in Division 1b, you would imagine that they will be looking for two wins. As it stands, their fate is still in their hands and as we have seen in the not-too-distant past, this group of players are capable of producing the goods when it matters and showing tremendous powers of recovery. A win would set Antrim up perfectly for what promises to be a difficult trip to Carlow in seven day’s time.
STARTING TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Eoin McFerran, Rory McCloskey, Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey, Eoghan Campbell, Conall Bohill; Seaan Elliott, Nigel Elliott; Paul Boyle, Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy; Joseph McLaughlin, James McNaughton, Niall O’Connor
Waterford: Billy Nolan; Conor Ryan, Conor Prunty, Seamus Fitzgerald; Michael Kiely, Mark Fitzgerald, Paddy Leavey; Jack Prendergast, Conor Sheahan; Padraig Fitzgerald, Jamie Barron, Sean Walsh; Kevin Mahony, Patrick Fitzgerald, Dessie Hutchinson
