LGFA NFL Division 4
Antrim 7-6 Wicklow 1-7
Antrim made it six on the bounce when they proved too strong for Wicklow at davitt’s Park on Sunday.
Antrim started this game in whirlwind fashion and with only 7 minutes on the clock they had the ball in the back of the Wicklow net three times.
Maria O Neill found the bottom corner after only two minutes and two minutes later Lara Dahunsi fired high to the net after a great interchanging of passes between Mellon and McKenna with the latter finding Dahunsi with an astute through ball.
Two minutes later Dahunsi was at it again when she got her second goal and her team’s third when her low shot rested in the bottom corner of the Wicklow net.
Antrim were in complete control at this stage and when Wicklow did break they found the Antrim defence in no mood to give much away with Niamh Mc Intosh and Ciara Brown in complete control at the back.
Luisne Adams then got the ball out on the right hand side and after beating two defenders she scored a great point from 35 meters as the Saffrons continued to dominate.
A long kickout from Aine Devlin then found Dahunsi and she took on the defender and laid the perfect pass of to Ana Mulholland who had run 60 metres in support and she made no mistake from the edge of the box.
The relentless Antrim pressure continued and Bronagh Devlin was next to rattle the Wicklow net after being found in space by Maria O Neill and she finished from close range.
Maria O Neill added Antrims final score of the half when she coolly slotted over the bar from 20 metres out.
Wicklow hit 3 points from frees in the first half and one from play and
they broke through near the end of the half but the impressive Aine Kelly made a timely interception for the Antrim girls.
The second half was similar to the first with Antrim in control despite the management team making 7 changes at the break but this didn’t disrupt the team whatsoever.
Nicole Jones, who was causing Wicklow endless problems banged in two goals, one on 35 minutes and the other on the 40 minute mark.
Lara Dahunsi chipped in with a point and then came the best individual score of the day.
Eimily Kearns got the ball out on the right hand side and beat two defenders and from what looked an impossible angle she hit a spectacular point from all of 40 metres to raise the biggest cheer of the day.
Lara Dahunsi had the final say of the day with two well taken points in the last five minute.
All in all an excellent performance from the Antrim girls which gaurentees top spot and a home draw in the semi-final.
Antrim were afforded the luxury of giving all their panel a run out and the Antrim management complemented their effort and dedication this season.
“We gave all our girls game time today. Every player in this group works so hard and deserves a run out. They all push each other so hard at training and encourage each other all the time.
We were really happy with the fast start and a few of our girls got their first start today and certainly didn’t disappoint but it’s one game at a time and it’s off to Derry next week so we will prepare for that game this incoming week said the Antrim management team”
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