Cushendall were presented with the Division 1 League trophy on Tuesday evening after their final league game against Dunloy at Pairc Mhuir.
Although the game was a ‘dead rubber’ as the home team had already secured the trophy in Ballycastle two weeks ago, nobody appeared to have told the players on each side who served up a cracking contest, with last season’s league winners Dunloy winning out by three points in the end on a scoreline of 1-13 to 1-10.
Both teams went flat out from start to finish in an absorbing game as their preparations for the forthcoming championship get going in earnest. Cushendall made a very good start and were 0-04 to 0-00 ahead before Dunloy got on the scoreboard through top score Aine Magill. A Katie Molloy goal brought the sides level and it was nip and tuck for the remainder of the first half, the visitors just edging it by 1-05 to 0-07 at the interval.
Cushendall had a strong third quarter and boosted by a Cara O’Boyle goal they soon drew level. By the midway point of the half they had moved three points clear and appeared to be set to keep their unbeaten league record, but Dunloy came strong in the final quarter and with Nicole McAtamney brilliant at midfield and Aine Magill in great scoring form they hit the last six points of the game to win by 1-13 to 1-10.
After the game Antrim Camogie Board Treasurer Angela Boyle presented the cup to Cushendall captain Anna McNeill and while celebrations were somewhat muted because of the defeat it was still a historic event in the club’s history.
These two don’t meet again until September 9th in the penultimate game in the round-robin series in Dunloy and if that game is half as good as this one it will be worth the admission fee.
Cushendall
Louise Mulholland, Anna McNeill, Caoimhe McNaughton, Catherine O’Boyle, Aoife mcClafferty, Abi McNeill, Laura Black, Cara O’Boyle, Eva McNeill, Dervla Cosgrove, Siobhan McKillop, Laura McMullan, Kady McNeill, Orlagh Burke, Orlaith McAllister
Dunloy
Kirsty Mc Ferran, Katherine Mullan, Brid Magill, Sarah McIlhatton, Casey Crawford, Katie Laverty, Eilis Kearns, Nicole McAtamney, Eimear McMullan, Kyra Doherty, Caoimhe Molloy, Erin McMullan, Eimear Johnston, Katie Molloy, Aine Magill
Subs Mary McArthur for Kyra Doherty
Referee – Declan McGarry (Loughgiel)
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