IN2 Engineering Senior Camogie Championship
Semi Final
Cushendall 1-12 Loughgiel 1-09
Saturday 3 October
Brendan McTaggart reports from Pearse Park, Dunloy
Loughgiel’s reign as Camogie Queens in Antrim came to an end at Pearse Park on Saturday afternoon as Cushendall dethroned the Shamrocks. Three points separated the sides by the end of an hour of gripping championship action that saw the Ruairi’s withstand a late Loughgiel rally but run out worthy winners in the end.
Much of the talk coming into the game was if Cushendall could improve on their showing between the sides in the group game or if the experience and knowhow of the Shamrocks would win the day. In the end it was the hunger, desire and tenacity of the Ruairi’s that was the winning of the game along with the brilliance of Eva McNeill.
The Cushendall star finished with 1-7, three from placed ball and while she may have missed a few, Eva McNeill was quite brilliant for the Ruairi’s. But she did have plenty of support with Kady McNeill putting in her best performance of the championship to date while Orlaith McCurry and Cara O’Boyle were also excellent.
Much has been made about the defensive efforts of Cushendall in recent games, Saturday was no different. The Shamrocks score 1-4 in the second half, all came from placed ball as the Cushendall defensive unit shut out both space and chances. Dervla Cosgrove and Siobhan McKillop excelled in midfield with their delivery of ball into the Cushendall forwards always keeping the Shamrock defence on their toes.
Roisin McCormick was a shining light for Loughgiel and went through a serious mountain of work for the Shamrocks. She was a constant threat for her side but she won’t have many days leaving the pitch having not scored from open play, such was the efforts of the Cushendall collective defence. Megan McGarry showed serious leadership from full back while Amy Boyle was excellent throughout.
The Shamrocks laid siege on the Cushendall goal late in the game but the Ruairi’s were not to be denied a deserving victory.
Cushendall started the game at 100mph, tackling with ferocity and playing with serious intensity. The thought that they might slow down as the half progressed was soon diminished as they never let Loughgiel settle.
Cushendall had three points in the opening 10 minutes with Eva McNeill, Cara O’Boyle and Orlaith McAlister all registering scored while a free from McCormick was the sole response for the Shamrocks.
McCormick added another free before the opening goal of the game came in the 11th minute with Caoimhe McNaughton sending the sliotar into the path of Eva McNeill. The Cushendall forward rose highest to claim the sliotar in the air before haring for goal. She fired low and to the corner to give Emma McAllister no chance in the Loughgiel goal.
The goal came at the perfect time for Cushendall and gave the Ruairi’s belief although Loughgiel did hit back to back points in response. Scores from Annie Lynn and Lucia McNaughton bringing the Shamrocks to within two.
Eva McNeill fired over her second free of the half before scoring her first from open play to put four between the sides with six minutes of the half remaining.
The Shamrocks challenge was hurt with a couple of rare missed frees from Roisin McCormick before Annie Lynn fired over her second of the half.
Eva McNeill had the last say of the opening 30 minutes when she fired over to leave the half time score 1-6 to 0-5 in Cushendall’s favour.
The opening exchanges to the second half saw Loughgiel cancel out that Cushendall lead and be back on terms after seven minutes.
Their goal came just two minutes after the restart and while it came in fortuitous circumstances, it was exactly what the Shamrocks needed at the time. McCormick seemed to mishit her free from 40 yards out and the sliotar dipped below the crossbar deceiving the Cushendall players on the line and into the back of the net.
Cara O’Boyle responded by opening Cushendall’s account but a brace of McCormick frees brought the Shamrocks on terms.
Loughgiel wouldn’t register another score for almost 15 minutes, however. Cushendall managed three further scores at the other end of the pitch and while it wasn’t an insurmountable lead, it was enough for the Ruairi’s to keep the champions at arms length. Kady McNeill raising the white flag before a brace from Eva McNeill (one free) the scorers for Cushendall.
McCormick’s third free of the half gave Loughgiel a glimmer of hope and raised the hopes of their support in Dunloy before a brilliant score from Kady McNeill restored Cushendall’s three point advantage. McNeill showing great footwork and a lovely drop of the shoulder to create space for her strike.
McCormick and Dervla Cosgrove swapped frees by the 57th minute and while Loughgiel laid siege on the Cushendall goal looking for another major, they came up short. Marie Laverty going close with a double in midair that Orlagh Burke did superbly to stop going into the back of the net while going close when through on goal but the Cushendall defence scrambled superbly.
The Shamrocks couldn’t get the vital score that would see them continue their remarkable dynasty within Antrim camogie. Their amazing run of 12 consecutive championships comes to an end and for Cushendall, they’ll be hoping that they can transfer all the promise within their ranks into silverware next weekend against Dunloy.
TEAMS
Cushendall Starting XV: Orlagh Burke; Tamara Black, Anna McNeill, Caoimhe McNaughton; Colleen Patterson, Abi McNeill, Laura Black; Dervla Cosgrove, Siobhan McKillop; Rhianna Black, Orlaith McCurry, Cara O’Boyle; Kady McNeill, Eva McNeill, Orlaith McAlister
- Subs: Amy McAlister for R Black (39)
- Scorers: E McNeill 1-7 (3f); C O’Boyle 0-2; K McNeill 0-1; D Cosgrove 0-1 (1f)
Loughgiel Starting XV: Emma McAllister; Charlene Campbell, Megan McGarry, Clare McKillop; Katie Lynn, Amy Boyle, Ciara Laverty; Anna Connolly, Lucia McNaughton; Katie McKillop, Annie Lynn, Christine McCloskey; Kirsty Adams, Roisin McCormick, Shanna Deery
- Subs: Marie Laverty for K Lynn (HT); Aoibheann Gillan for A Connolly (44); Orlagh Laverty for S Deery (46)
- Scorers: R McCormick 1-6 (1-6f); A Lynn 0-2; L McNaughton 0-1
Referee: Sean McLaren (St Pauls)
TO SEE MORE OF BRENDAN’S PHOTOS FROM THE GAME, CLICK ON THE LINK….
https://myalbum.com/album/mwLDtdjesYje4o/?invite=acc0df35-137f-44fd-b3bd-7c26ea582ae6
