Derry 0-7 Antrim 3-14

Glen Dimplex Intermediate Camogie Championship

Antrim Senior Camogs got their All Ireland campaign off to great start when they travelled to Derry on Sunda and came away with the a convincing win. The Saffrons set themselves up perfectly for a second-half surge in this first-round Glen Dimplex Intermediate Camogie Championship clash at Derrytrasna. Antrim went into the half-time break level at six points apiece, a commendable position given they were playing against a stiff breeze. Following the restart, the Antrim girls quickly gained the upper hand, a task made considerably easier when Derry was reduced to fourteen players following a crucial red card.

In the opening thirty minutes, Derry’s defense proved formidable, making it difficult for Antrim to break them down. The home side responded impressively every time the Saffrons edged ahead. Frees dictated much of the early scoring, with Róisín McCormick spearheading the Antrim attack by slotting over four frees, supplemented by scores from Maeve Kelly and Emma Wilson. Carla Collins led the home side’s resistance, matching McCormick with three frees and adding another fine score from open play to ensure the teams went into the dressing rooms deadlocked at 0-5 apiece

The defining moment of the match arrived just five minutes into the second half. Derry full-back Eimear McCloskey, who had already been booked shortly before half-time, received a second yellow card in the 35th minute. Even before the dismissal, Antrim had signaled their second-half intent with and early points from McCormick. Down to fourteen players and forced to reorganize for the final 25 minutes, Derry’s spirited resistance began to crumble against an Antrim side that now had both an extra player and the breeze at their backs.

Griffin, McCormick and Kelly grabbed apiece goals for Antrim

The Saffrons systematically pulled clear, further bolstered by two points from Éobha McAllister. Clíona Griffin finally cracked the game open in the 45th minute, firing a low shot across Derry goalkeeper Niamh Gribbin for the game’s opening goal. The unstoppable McCormick, who amassed a personal tally of eight points, broke clear in the 52nd minute to drill the ball into the top of the net. Following a late consolation free from Derry’s Collins, which proved to be their only score of the half, Kelly added a third goal for Antrim in added time. While Kelly’s late strike may have slightly flattered the visitors on the final scoreboard, Antrim’s dominant second-half display ensured a comprehensive and well-deserved opening-round victory.

ANTRIM

Catriona Graham, Colleen Patterson, Caoimhe Conlon, Caoimhe McNaughton, Claire McKillop, Katie Molloy, Shanagh Heggarty, Amy Boyle, Maeve Kelly, Roisin McCormick, Lucia McNaughton, Nicole McAtamney, Aobha McAllister, Cliona Griffin, Janey McIntosh