Antrim Camogie League – Division 1

Cushendall 3-13 Dunloy 1-09

League champions Cushendall continued their unbeaten run in the Antrim Division 1 Camogie league with an impressive win over Dunloy at Pairc Mhuire, Cushendall. It has to be said that both teams fielded without their county players, but Dunloy were affected more than Cushendall, but despite both being short, this turned out to be an excellent game which was fiercely contested from start to finish. Dunloy started very well and managed to build a strong lead early on, despite playing into a stiff breeze. After Eva McNeill opened the scoring for the home side with an early free, Dunloy quickly took control. Aine Magill leveled the game with a point from play before Caoimhe Molloy edged them ahead with a free. Magill then fired a goal to the net, and although Cliodhna Thompson responded with a point for Cushendall, Molloy tapped over another free to establish a five-point advantage for the visitors.

Cushendall soon settled into the game however and began to make use of the conditions. Eva McNeill spearheaded their revival, hitting a 45 and adding a point from play, alongside a fine score from Kady McNeill. Eva McNeill then drove a free to the back of the net to put Cushendall in front, following it up with another point from play shortly after. Dervla Cosgrove added a point from a free, and Eva McNeill struck again to extend the gap. Just before the interval, Cliodhna Thompson found the net for Cushendall’s second goal. Dunloy managed to finish the half with late points from a Caoimhe Molloy free and an Aine Magill effort from play, but Cushendall held a commanding 2-09 to 1-05 lead at the break.

After the restart, Eva McNeill extended the Cushendall lead with a free, but Dunloy quickly responded. They hit three quick points from play through Eimear Johnston, Aine Magill, and Erin McMullan, and appeared to be on course to close the gap when McMullan added her second to leave just four points between the sides. However, Cushendall steadied the ship and regained control of the contest. Brogan Abram broke Dunloy’s momentum with a crucial point from play, and Eva McNeill added another free to keep the scoreboard ticking. The result was put completely beyond doubt when Kady McNeill struck for Cushendall’s third goal in the 21st minute. Eva McNeill concluded the scoring with a late free, ensuring Cushendall maintained their unbeaten streak with an impressive 3-13 to 1-09 victory.

Ruairí Óg: 1 Orlagh Burke, 2 Laoise McCollam, 3 Anna McNeill, 4 Tamara Black, 5 Ellen Leech, 6 Abi McNeill, 7 Aoife McClafferty, 8 Dervla Cosgrove, 9 Siobhan McKillop, 10 Brogan Abram, 11 Orlaith McCurry, 12 Rhianna Black, 13 Cliodhna Thompson, 14 Eva McNeill, 15 Kady McNeill.

Dunloy: 1 Clodagh OKane, 2 Sarah McIlhatton, 3 Brid Magill, 4 Kathryn Boyle, 5 Katharine Mullan, 6 Katie Laverty, 7 Eilis Kearns, 8 Eimear McMullan, 9 Eimear Johnston, 10 Bronach Magill, 11 Caoimhe Molloy, 12 Caitlin Crawford, 13 Erin McMullan, 14 Dearbhail Elliott, 15 Aine Magill.

Referee – Owen Elliott

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