McQuillan Camógs extended their unbeaten run in Division 1 of the Antrim Senior Camogie League on with an emphatic home victory over Rossa on Tuesday evening.
The home side going about their business with great efficiency scoring an impressive 2-12 in the first half with goals from Riana McBride and Kathryn Donnelly.
McBride and Donnelly would chip in with 0-3 and 0-2 points respectively, the McIntosh sisters amassing 9 points , Janey (0-5) and Elen (0-4).
Shannagh Hegarty with Áine Donnelly both adding 0-4 to complete the scoring for the home side
Paul McKillen’s charges will no doubt be looking forward to their next fixture which sees them travel ‘over the mountain’ to take on Div1’s other unbeaten side in Ruairi Ógs Cushendall.
Cushendall and Loughgiel went head-to-head in the Antrim Division 1 Senior Camogie League on Tuesday evening. Fr Healy Park was noted for having quite a heavy ground which no doubt affected the game itself, and it was quite obvious to determine how blinding the late evening sunlight was. The game started in Cushendall’s favour with Cara O’Boyle making the initial pushes. A strong Cushendall defence was preventing goal chances for the Shamrocks as multiple balls fell short of the crossbar. Loughgiel’s eagerness to combat their counterparts proved successful with a brilliant point by Orlagh Laverty following a pass by Katie Lynn.
Loughgiel’s Shanna Deery led the charge repeatedly against Cushendall, but they would however not let their standards slip. Orlaith McAlister and Orlaith McCurry presented quite a challenge for the home team, but they soon found promise with an unexpected goal from a free by Anna McKillop which had bounced off the keeper’s hand.
Half Time Score – Loughgiel 1-04 Cushendall 0-5
The physicality continued to flourish with great intensity between both teams as the second half started. After a great many attempts, Annie Lynn drove the ball into the net after a quick pass by Orlagh Laverty. The Cushendall side did not back off, as points were scored by the skillful Dervla Cosgrove and Orlagh O’Hara despite the brilliant defence of Charlene Campbell, Finvola McVeigh and Katie Lynn. Shanna Deery continued with her speedy responses and after a fantastic pass to Orlagh Laverty, Loughgiel scored yet another goal. The pressure continued to be placed on Loughgiel as Orlagh O’Hara swiftly delivered another goal for Cushendall to finish the game. Despite the dispute of the score, the Referee determined the extremely competitive match to be a draw.
TWO teams pointless after the opening two games met in O’Cahan Park on Tuesday evening and, despite the home side looking the sharper in the early part of the game, it was the visitors from Glenravel who snatched the goals in the second half to take them to a much needed victory.
Both teams seemed up for this game and it was competitive from start to finish with the lead switching hands on several occasions during the second half.
It took Brídíní Óga all of 16 minutes to register their first score, Eimhear McAleenan converting a 45. By then Portglenone were three points up through Gina Convery and Emer McKee (two). Glenravel probably had more possession during the first half but very few shots at the target with Úna Doherty cleaning up a lot of ball as sweeper.
The home side was more economical in their ratio of attacks to scores and Shannon Darragh fired over a point in reply to Brídíní Óga’s opener. However another free from McAleenan and sub Niamh McKay narrowed the gap after 23 minutes.
Portglenone responded with two more points from Emer McKee and looked comfortable at 0-6 to 0-3. A late shot from Aimee Traynor just made it over the bar for a two points’ gap at the break.
McAleenan (free) and Róisín Kelly swopped points on the re-start, before Glenravel hit a purple patch with a goal from McAleenan and points from Sarah Fyfe and Laoise McKenna to go 1-7 to 0-7 ahead.
However they were then knocked back when Shannon Darragh’s free from the right corner went all the way to their net and she and Aoibhinn McCloskey added points for them to take a 1-9 to 1-7 lead.
Shauna McDonnell put Brídíní Óga back in front when she pulled a ground shot to the net. But Portglenone responded with points from McKee and Darragh to edge ahead once more.
Glenravel though were stronger in the run in to the whistle with Ashling Millar holding off her marker to find the net with a ground shot that was quickly followed by a point from Traynor.
Anna Mulholland, Dearbhla Dobbin, Maria McLarnon and Emer McKee were best for the Geraldine’s while the Mulholland sisters and Laoise McKenna were best for the winners.
Portglenone: O Convery, E Vallely, M McLarnon, M Mooney, A O’Kane, L McAleese, D Dobbin, A McKenna, A Mulholland, S Darragh (1-3 frees), A McCloskey (0-1), G Convery (0-1), E McKee (0-5), Ú Doherty, R Kelly (0-1)
Brídíní Óga : O Donnelly, A Mulholland, J Woulahan, A Donnelly, C Duffin, M Mulholland, E Coulter, L McKenna (0-1), K Laverty, E McAleenan (1-3, 0-3 frees), S Fyfe (0-1), S McDonnell (1-0), A Millar (1-0), V Edgar, A Traynor (0-2).
Subs: N McKay (0-1) for V Edgar (18), N Donnelly for E McAleenan (51),
Brendan McTaggart reports from Corrigan Park, Belfast
Mick Bradley who played superbly when moved to centre back
And breathe!
Antrim came out of a barnstorming second half against Laois on Sunday afternoon to defeat the O’Moore County and secure their Division One status for 2024. Six points between the sides at the end of a pulsating 70 minutes but the scoreline and performance mattered little on the day. This was a game that needed winning and the Saffrons stood up to be counted. A second half performance that saw them hold Laois to just four points while they played with intensity, power, guile when it was needed and a determination to get the job done.
Darren Gleeson’s men had leaders all over the pitch. Michael Bradley moving to centre half after the opening 20 minutes and played out of his skin while Ryan McGarry dealt with anything Laois could bring his way. People will look at Conal Cunning’s final tally of 1-10 and say he had a good game. Those who watched the match will see his performance and say he was outstanding. Dropping deeper, breaking lines, picking passes, Coby led Laois a merry dance along with man of the match Nigel Elliott. Starting for the first time in an Antrim shirt since 2019, Elliott was outstanding. Firing Antrim’s opening goal in the fourth minute, looking like he may have to come off soon after with a dead leg but he put in a performance for the ages. Laois couldn’t live with him with his pace, power and work rate immense.
Neil McManus’ goal just before half time set Antrim up well for the second half
It wasn’t all sunshine and daisies for Antrim on Sunday however. They needed a goal in first half injury time to haul themselves back into this game after a first half played largely on Laois’ terms. They played with the elements and with Enda Rowland’s restarts landing between the 21 and 45 yard line, they were causing the Antrim defence plenty of trouble. Aaron Dunphy and Tomas Keyes lively on the breaks while Antrim seemed to be shot-shy at the other end. While they were playing against the wind, they probably took too much out of the ball. Goal chances did come and go but when taking a score was the easy option, they looked for a pass to carve open a Laois defence that were swarming them at every opportunity.
With Elliott and McManus’ goals leaving just two between the sides at half time, Antrim regrouped. The second half performance was everything Gleeson would have wanted, scoring three points in injury time to give the scoreboard a little more of a healthier outlook but one the Antrim performance deserved.
The changes made throughout the game were pivotal. Playing Gerard Walsh at six was quickly changed with Michael Bradley returning to centre half where he played so well after Eohan Campbell’s dismissal against Waterford. Neil McManus moved to the edge of the square with James McNaughton roaming out to the middle third. McNaughton’s speed was causing Laois plenty of problems but the physicality McManus brought on the edge of the square meant the ball would stick and the Antrim forwards thrived off it.
Conal Coby Cunnning who gave another fine display in today’s win over Laois,
The power and pace of Elliott, Niall McKenna and Keelan Molloy at rucks allowed the Saffrons to turn the screw in attack.
They were back ahead by the 46th minute, Cunning (free), Joe Maskey and McManus finding their range but if the second Antrim goal revived their challenge, the third put them in control. A sideline ‘cut’ from Gerard Walsh was broke in the air by Maskey and Nigel Elliott gathered the sliotar. Cunning ran off his shoulder, collected the pass and made no mistake with a cracking finish. Counting the last scores of the first half, it meant Antrim hit 2-5 in 18 minutes to just one point from Laois in the same period of time. Game defining, league defining.
Joe Maskey in action during Antrim’s win over Laois
Laois looked to their bench to try and get back into the game with Willie Dunphy, Stephen Bergin and James Duggan all introduced into the attack but Antrim never looked like letting this one go. They managed the game in those closing stages, keeping a three or four point lead while Laois rarely looked like threatening Ryan Elliott’s goals. The one chance they did have, a 25 yard free from ‘keeper Rowland but Stephen Rooney was on hand to ensure the Antrim nerves were calmed in the closing stages.
Eoin O’Neill scored a customary classy point when introduced, leaving the Corrigan Park patrons in the stand purring as the sliotar sailed between the uprights while Laois were reduced to 14 men late in the game. Substitute Gearoid Lynch seeing red for a dangerous challenge on Bradley when tempers threatened to boil over.
“I’ve been up here now what feels like a lifetime and it’s the first time we can properly prepare for the Championship”, the words from a relieved Darren Gleeson at the end. Job done for the Saffrons who entertain Tipperary next Sunday with an eye on the Leinster Championship, league points on the board and top table status secured once more.
TEAMS
Antrim: Ryan Elliott; Paddy Burke, Ryan McGarry, Stephen Rooney; Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh, Niall O’Connor; Michael Bradley, James McNaughton; Keelan Molloy, Niall McKenna, Nigel Elliott; Conal Cunning, Neil McManus, Conor Johnston
Subs: Seaan Elliott for C Johnston (35); Domhnall Nugent for N McKenna (63); Scott Walsh for N O’Connor (63); Paul Boyle for J Maskey (67); Eoin O’Neill for N Elliott (inj)
Scorers: C Cunninh 1-10 (9fs 1’65); N McManus 1-1; N Elliott 1-00; N McKenna 0-2; K Molloy 0-2; J Maskey 0-1; P Burke 0-1; E O’Neill 0-1
Laois: Enda Rowland; Ian Shanahan, Liam O’Connell, Donnchadh Hartnett; Padraig Delaney, Patrick Purcell, Fiachra Fennelly; Jack Kelly, Aidan Corby; Stephen Maher, Ryan Mullaney, James Keyes; Tomas Keyes, Martin Phelan, Aaron Dunphy
Subs: Willie Dunphy for M Phelan (42); James Duggan for R Mullaney (51); Gearoid Lynch for A Corby (58); Stephen Bergin for J Keyes (62)
Scorers: S Maher 0-7 (6fs); A Dunphy 1-4; T Keyes 0-2; J Kelly 0-2; R Mullaney 0-1; J Keyes 0-1; M Phelan 0-1
Referee: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)
Keelan Molloy in action against Laois at Corrigan Park
The Corrigan Creche – Niall McKenna and Neil McManus with their beautiful daughters at the end of Sunday’s game at Corrigan Park
The Antrim Camogie League finally got underway in earnest on Tuesday evening at Fr Healy Park when champions Loughgiel recorded a big win over a Cushendall side who had in their ranks a good few of the Antrim team who had won the All Ireland Junior title at Croke Park.
The celebrations from Sunday’s famous win over Armagh may, or may not, have been completed, but four goal hero in Croker two days earlier, Dervla Cosgrove showed she hadn’t lost her touch when she fired a ball to the Shamrocks net on four minutes, in reply to an earlier point from the home side’s Christine Laverty.
Luca McNaughton and Amy Boyle drew Loughgiel level by the sixth minute, but goal number two for the Ruairis three minutes later from Ellen Leech, another of Sunday’s scorers, put Cushendall back in front. However as the half proceeded Loughgiel began to get on top and a five minute spell of dominance, which brought points from Claire McKillop, Chloe Higgins and Lucia McNaugthon, and a goal from Caitrin Dobbin, turned the game firmly in Loughgiel’s favour and they went on to lead by 2-9 to 2-3 at half time.
The second half was dominated the Shamrocks as they opened with five points on the trot, before Christine Laverty grabbed her team’s second goal. The excellent Lucia McNaughton grabbed three of the next five points, to take her second half total to six. Caoimhe O’Hara pulled a goal back for Cushendall and Orlagh O’hara added a point, but Una McNaughton finished it all with a point from play from half back to get the champions away to a winning star.
