Antrim Camogie League – Division 2
Erin’s Own 3-10 Geraldines 4-15
Portglenone secured two valuable league points following a hard-fought encounter against Cargin by the lough shore on Wednesday evening.
Missing a number of experienced players, Geraldines had their hands full with a Cargin side whose direct running through the middle ensured a goal threat throughout.
The home team made an excellent start, with Maria O’Neill opening her account from play before Maria and Sarah O’Neill’s powerful running and interplay resulted in two clinical goals inside the opening 12 minutes to put Cargin firmly in control.
Geraldines responded well and gradually worked their way into the contest, with points from Jojo and Shannon Darragh settling the visitors, while Niamh Martin also added to the scoreboard as they began to create more consistent attacking opportunities.
Maria and Sarah O’Neill continued to dominate proceedings for Cargin with Maria adding another score from play, but Geraldines found their rhythm as the half progressed.
Fortune perhaps favoured Geraldines a little when two goals in a minute from Hollie Martin and Shannon Darragh provided a major boost on the scoreboard as pressure turned into scores. Maria O’Neill added a further point for Cargin late in the half, but Geraldines finished strongly with scores again from Shannon and Jojo Darragh to take a 2-10 to 3-3 lead into the interval.
The second half remained closely contested. Cargin with the breeze now on their backs reduced the deficit through a series of placed balls from Maria O’Neill, who also added another point from play to keep her side in touch.
Geraldines, however, much like the first half began to gain greater control, crucially around the middle third, with Jojo Darragh Hollie Martin and Aoife McKenna particularly strong in possession, and their more cohesive passages of play increasingly putting pressure on the home defence.
In almost a carbon copy of the first half, a decisive period arrived midway through the second when Clodagh Convery struck for two goals in quick succession, giving Geraldines valuable breathing space.
Further points from Hollie Martin, Aoife McGrogan and Niamh Martin, combined with some excellent goalkeeping from Siobhan Doherty helped frustrate the Toome side and maintain the advantage as the game entered its closing stages.
Cargin continued to battle and remained a threat right until the end. The impressive Maria O’Neill added two further scores, including a converted 45, before Caoimhe McErlain found the net late on with a superb catch and finish. Geraldines remained composed in the closing minutes, however, and saw out the game to record a hard earned victory on a scoreline of 4-15 to 3-10.
Geraldines: Siobhan Doherty, Laura O’Boyle, Orlagh Convery, Annie Convery, Maria Mooney, Aoife McKenna, Ellie Tsang, Hollie Martin (1-2), Eimear McKee, Jojo Darragh (0-4), Shannon Darragh (1-6), Aoife McGrogan (0-1), Eva McCann, Clodagh Convery (2-0), Niamh Martin (0-2).
Cargin: Eimear McErlain, Alexandra Johnston, Laura Scullion, Caoimhe-Rose Johnston, Aimee Johnston, Orlaith Johnston, Grace O’Boyle, Sarah O’Neill (1-0), Caoimhe McErlain (1-0), Catherine McFadden (0-1), Alica Boyd, Gracie McLaughlin, Lucia Sidebottom, Maria O’Neill (1-8), Erin O’Neill.
Referee: Francis Neeson (Ahoghill)