Ulster Minor Camogie Final

Antrim 2-17 Derry 2-16

Venue- CushLig an Airgid – Cushendun

The Ulster minor camogie final at Cushendun on Saturday evening delivered a classic encounter, with Antrim ultimately retaining their title in a 2-17 to 2-16 thriller against a resilient Derry side. While a dramatic 56th-minute goal from Emma Quinn looked to have secured a fifth title for the Oak Leaf county, the holders demonstrated remarkable composure in the closing stages. Late points from Eimear McCaughan and Player of the Match Caoimhe McErlean allowed Antrim to claw back the lead and secure the trophy for the 12th time in their history.

Derry enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, using the breeze to establish a 0-6 to 0-2 lead within the first quarter thanks to the accuracy of Emma Quinn, Grace McCartney, and Ciara O’Loughlin. Antrim found a lifeline when a long-range free dropped into the Derry square, falling kindly for Eimear McCaughan who made no mistake in finding the back of the net. The remainder of the half was a tightly contested affair where both sides traded scores, leaving Derry with a narrow 0-12 to 1-7 lead as the teams headed into the break.

The momentum shifted immediately upon the restart as Antrim hit four unanswered points through Aoife Fitzsimons, Caoimhe McErlean, and Brogan Graham to take a two-point lead within four minutes. Derry responded with a point from Brianna Donaghy and a clinical goal from Emma Quinn to regain the advantage, but the lead was short-lived. Barely a minute later, Louise McBride got the decisive touch on a cross into the danger area to put Antrim back in front.

The final quarter was defined by high tension as Antrim struggled to shake off their challengers. Despite Eimear McCaughan extending the gap to three points, Emma Quinn dragged Derry back into contention with two points before completing her brace of goals to put her side ahead in the final minutes. However, Antrim found the necessary response in the “sting in the tail” finish, as Caoimhe McErlean and Eimear McCaughan split the posts to ensure the title stayed with the Saffron county by the narrowest of margins.

Antrim: Molly McToal, Cara Lynch, Laoise Stone, Isabelle Martin, Hannah Mead, Fiadh Sands, Amy Gault, Erin-Mae Mitchell 0-1, Eimear McCloskey, Aoife Fitzsimons 0-2, Caoimhe McErlean 0-9 (8fs), Cara Delaney, Eimear McCaughan 1-3, Louise McBride 1-1, Brogan Graham 0-1.

Subs: Aoife Neeson for A Gault, Orla Munce for C Lynch

Derry: Aoife McAteer, Treasa Passmore, Ríonach Conlon, Gráinne McElhinney, Ellen Cullen, Ellie McCartney, Hannah Drinan, Áine Young, Ríonach McNally, Brianna Donaghy 0-1, Mary Therese McCullagh 0-1, Grace McCartney 0-3, Sara McTague, Emma Quinn capt 2-8 (0-7fs), Ciara O’Loughlin 0-3.

Subs: Odharnait Ward for S McTague, Aoife Harkin for G McElhinney

TO SEE MORE OF MICKEY MORGAN’S PHOTOS FROM THIS GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW

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