Antrim LGFA Junior B final at Moneyglass
Glenariffe Oisins 4-13 Naomh Padraig, Lisbun 2-02
After a successful day on the Loughbeg Road in Moneyglass on Saturday for Glenravel ladies winning the intermediate championship, Glenariffe ladies followed suit on Sunday in the same venue in the Junior B Championship.
The game was already written into the history books with Lisburn reaching their first final in this code after defeating last year’s finalists St Comgall’s a fortnight ago. Glenariffe were no strangers to a final, their last appearance being in 2021. Both teams came into this final full of confidence and both sets of supporters came out in full force which were a credit to their parishes.
The game started intensely with Glenariffe starting the scoring with a fine point from Niamh O’Neill. Lisburn reacted quickly and with the winds at their backs, they moved the ball quickly up the field with Grace Ferris being the driving force, they broke through the Glenariffe defence and hit the back of the net. A quick response from Glenariffe was needed and that’s what they done. From the resulting kick out, Glenariffe got up the pitch themselves and with a chipped ball over the top of the Lisburn cover, Niamh O’Neill was on the receiving end and flicked it over the Lisburn netminder and slotted the ball home. This spurred Glenariffe on as they kept the scoreboard ticking with points from Dervla McMullan, Gemma Black and Tara O’Neill. Glenariffe got their second goal through Niamh O’Neill with a neatly tucked shot into the far-left corner. Lisburn kept battling and a notable mention for Lola Devlin who did not stop running all game and caused havoc for the Glenariffe defence. Half time score Glenariffe 2-7 to Lisburn 1-0.
The next 30 minutes started with Niamh O’Neill completing her hattrick as Glenariffe extended their lead. More scores followed from Dervla McMullan and Maeve McKendry. Lisburn to their credit still battled hard and never stopped running, chipping in with a couple of scores of their own, with some lovely play down the right-hand side. Lisburn with their tails up and confidence restored, they hit the net a second time with a well-placed finish. Glenariffe didn’t let this get to them as they came forward once again with Isabella Black scoring their fourth goal. Both teams making changes and all making impacts, Erinmae Mitchell for Glenariffe chipping in with scores of her own.
The day belonged to Glenariffe with a scoreline of 4-13 to 2-2, Lisburn will be disappointed but can hold their heads high after a phenomenal season and achieving their first final, they can use this as fuel for next year. Glenariffe will be full of confidence going into next year and making the step up into the Junior championship.
