Main photo – Antrim’s Nicole McAttamney who was player of the match in Antrim’s historic win over Cork
National Camogie League – Division 1
Cork 1-11 Antrim 2-10
The Antrim Camogie team sent shockwaves through the National Camogie League Division One this weekend, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory by defeating last year’s All-Ireland runners-up, Cork, on their home turf. Little was expected of the Saffron girls when they made the long journey south on Friday. While it must be noted that Cork was missing a number of key players from the squad that lost to Galway in last year’s All-Ireland final, taking down a traditional powerhouse in their own backyard remains a truly remarkable result for Antrim.
The Antrim team who beat Cork in the National Camogie League in Cork. Pic by Sean Kelly
The visitors signaled their intent right from the throw-in. Janey McIntosh opened the scoring for Antrim in the very first minute, setting the tone for a fearless first-half performance. Though Cork’s Hayley Ryan equalized at the seven-minute mark, Antrim quickly took control. The lethal Nicole McAtamney began to find her range, slotting a point from play and another from a free, while Aobha McAllister added back-to-back points in the 18th and 19th minutes. Cork fought hard to stay in touch, relying heavily on the accuracy of Emma Murphy, who raised two white flags, alongside a point from Orlaith Cremin. However, further scores from McIntosh and McAtamney ensured Antrim carried a well-deserved 0-08 to 0-05 lead into the halftime break.
The second half delivered an absolute spectacle. Cork emerged from the dressing room with renewed intensity, rattling off four unanswered points in the opening ten minutes. Emma Murphy sparked the revival with two more points, while Isabel Sheehan and Cremin also found the target, wiping out Antrim’s lead. Just as the momentum seemed to be irreversibly shifting toward the home side, Antrim struck a massive blow. In the 41st minute, Nicole McAtamney breached the Cork defense to smash home the game’s opening goal. Cork’s response was immediate and fierce, with Orlaith Cahalane raising a green flag of her own just two minutes later to level the dramatic contest once again.
Rather than folding under the pressure, the Saffron girls showed immense character in the final quarter. The decisive moment came in the 50th minute when Amy Ferris found the back of the net, giving Antrim a crucial second goal. Smelling a historic victory, McAtamney and McAllister quickly followed up with points to stretch the visitors’ advantage. Cork pushed desperately to salvage the game in the dying moments, securing late points through Cahalane and Millie Condon in the 58th minute, but the Antrim defense held firm. The final whistle confirmed a monumental 2-10 to 1-11 victory for the Saffrons, etching a famous chapter into their Division One campaign.
