LGFA Minor League
Antrim 3-8 Down 4-10
Antrim minors fell to a brace of late goals from group leaders Down in a seesaw encounter at Colaiste Feirste.
Down settled the better of the two teams and with Rice McHugh and Clodagh Shannon in good form raced to an early lead. The Saffrons to their credit kept working hard and as the game progressed they chipped away at the Mourne lead with scores from Jojo Darragh, Aoife Fitzsimons and Erin Stewart taking well worked points.
Down had goaled midway through the half but Antrim finished the better as an opportunist goal by Orlaith McCrory and a brace of points from Chloe Boyd-Munce gave the home team the halftime lead.
Antrim 1-7 Down 1-6
Down brought on All Ireland winning captain Isa McCarron at the break while Antrim introduced Aoibhean Monaghan and Evie McAllister.
The Mourne girls got the perfect start as they goaled from the first attack and looked to have taken control. To their credit Antrim stuck to their task and a clever finish by the irresistible skipper Leah Stewart gave her team the advantage again.
Down picked off a couple of points but were rocked when McAllister arrowed a brilliant finish to the net.
Erin Stewart then pointed from a free but some wasteful passing and good Down pressure meant this was the young Saffs final score.
Down hadn’t finished though and a fortunate third goal and then a sharp finish by the impressive McHugh saw them take the spoils. Antrim 3-8 Down 4-10
The home team were well served by McCavana Lynch and McGurk in defence while Lara Scullion battled gamely throughout.
Once again Antrim were depleted due to injury and illness but they never looked sorry for themselves. Down were good value for the win with the clinical finishing of McHugh always difficult to counter.
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