Antrim LGFA Senior D2

All Saints 5-09 v Cargin 2-07

All Saints and Cargin played out a well contested game of ladies football on Sunday evening at Quinn Park with the home side running out eventual winners on a score-line of 5-09 to 2-07 to leave them sitting at the summit of the second division. Both teams will meet each other in their opening championship group fixture and although both teams were missing key players for this game, if the standard of play was anything to go by then the opening round robin game will be something to look forward to. The All Saints ladies began the game well playing some good attacking football and should have been well in front from the off only for some wayward finishing, leaving behind some three or four goal opportunities. Keely O’Mullan, Anna O’Kane, Sinead McLaughlin, Roisin Ward and Helena O’Dornan all linking up play well early on. For all the attacking play the Saints ladies had it was Cargin who got the first score of the game, a fine effort by Orlaith Jonston.

Cargin started to get more and more in to the game after the first ten leading to a good competitive period of football. The All Saints defensive rearguard of Katie Connolly, Ella McLaughlin, Niamh McMahon, Maria Mitchell, Cliodhna Metrustry and Orla Magill held a strong resolute line as Cargin continued to attack, with some nice passages of skilful play. Marnie O’Neill in the Saints net was sound throughout with good handling and her football know how was evident in her precise kick outs. The All saints girls took a firm grip on the game reeling off some fine team scores with some great flowing passages of play. Sianeese Maybin, Anna O’Kane, and Keely O’Mullan all finished some good moves to the net and a couple of points for good measure from O’Mulllan and A O’Kane , which were all ably supported and assisted by Brianna Cushenan, Méabh O’Kane and Helena O’Dornan. Orlaith Jonston was able to take a good goal from a long range free as Cargin got more invested in the game, although it was the All saints ladies who went in at the short whistle with a bit to spare but still a lot to do to see out the game. The Second half saw a real end to end competitive game of football with both sides playing a fast and expansive game.

The scores were still unable to match the good approach play of both teams but eventually things began to click for the two teams, Cargin started taking a few chances and hit some nice long range scores from McFadden, Jonston, McAuley and Craig whilst for All Saints Caitlin Kelly and Orla Lemon got in on the act with 1-03 between them after being introduced from early on. Both girls made a good impact on the game with Kelly finishing a lovely move started in the AS full back line and moved nicely up the pitch before finishing assuredly. As the game entered its final stages both teams kept attacking and providing both sets of spectators with plenty to appreciate. Méabh O’Kane, Sianeese Maybin and Roisin Ward all chipping in with some nice scores to see the game out. As Sean Toal, who had ably officiated throughout the evening, sounded the final whistle the All Saints ladies finished on the winning end but come the championship opener with both teams at their full quotas this game could go either way.

All Saints team and scorers: Marnie O’Neill, Maria Mitchell, Niamh McMahon, Cliodhna Metrustry, Ella McLaughlin, Katie Connolly, Orla Magill, Roisin Ward (0-01), Sinead McLaughlin, Méabh O’Kane (0-01), Anna O’Kane (1-01),Keely O’Mullan (1-02), Sianeese Maybin (2-02), Helena O’Dornan, Brianna Lee Cushenan Replacements: Caitlin Kelly (1-00) for Sinead McLaughlin Orla Lemon (0-02) for Brianna Lee Cushenan Aine Kearney for Orla Magill Ciara Connon for Maria Mitchell Rachel Dorrity for Méabh O’Kane Kate Hasson for Cliodhna Metrustry

Cargin team and scorers: Roise Murray, Tania Lynn, Caoimhe Scullion, Aela McCann, Sinead Quinn, Sally Scullion, Aoife Neeson, Enya Neeson, Annie Convery, Gemma McAuley (0-01), Roisin Quinn (0-01), Niamh Laverty, Catherine McFadden (1-02), Orlaith Jonston (1-01), Cathy Craig (0-02) Replacements: Niamh Devine for Niamh Laverty Aoife O’Boyle for Tanya Lynn Erin Neeson for Sinead Quinn

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