Antrim Camogie League – Division 2

Back on the 19th April at Fr Healy Park Loughgiel, MacUilín Ballycastle Manager Paul McKillen’s final pre-match words to his Div 2 charges before their encounter with their Loughgiel counterparts were ‘Girls if we can get something here tonight, we could give this league a good rattle’, little would he know that a 2-10 to 1-7 victory that night thanks to goals from Samantha McKillen and Elen Mc Intosh would lead to a winning streak of 11 matches which would secure the 2023 Camogie Division 2 league title.

Next up on 3rd May was a home tie to Belfast side Naomh Eoin, which threw up a convincing 6-18 to 1-2 scoreline, with the goals from Riana McBride (3), Tara McAfee (2) and Faye Roddy (1). 3 weeks later Ruairí Óg Cushendall would be next to visit Páirc MacUilín, the Town accruing 4-18 this time to the visitors 0-3, goals from Shannagh Heggarty (2), Riana McBride (1) and Noelle McAuley (1).

The fixture break for the school exam period ended with St Mary’s Ahoghill going down to a heavy 8-18 to 1-3 defeat on 21st June, a hat trick of goals for Kathryn Mullan and Janey McIntosh supplemented by two from Riana McBride.

A visit to Pearse Park Dunloy on 28th June saw the Town take advantage of the wind to build a 0-6 to 0-0 half time lead, however the home side were to push the ‘Castle all the way until second half goals from Janey McIntosh and Riana McBride proved vital for a valuable 2-10 to 1-7 win.

Sisters Janey and Elen McIntosh would share the goals in a 2-19 to 1-0 win over Cargin on the 5th July, a fortnight later Emma Connor, Riana McBride (3), Shannagh Hegarty and Faye Roddy would raise the green flags in the 6-18 to 1-3 win at Páirc Mhic Ionnrachtaigh, Gort na Mona.

The final game of the first phase of the league was a trip to Creggan Kickhams and a Janey McIntosh first half goal helped in a 1-22 to 2-4 win.

With the league now split into the top 5, the scene was then set for a mighty top of the table clash on 9th August with Loughgiel whose only defeat was against Ballycastle in the opening fixture.  The game didn’t fail to deliver, an Elen McIntosh goal helping to build a 1-11 to 0-7 half time lead, three second half goals from the visitors threatened to overturn, but an impeccable return from free taker Riana McBride whose 0-9 total included an outrageous long-range score which will live long in the memory.

Next up would be the return fixture with Ahoghill and a hat trick of goals from Elen McIntosh were complimented by majors from Laura Dallas and Kathryn Mullan in a 5-18 to 1-7 win.  A 4-19 to 1-8 win over Creggan in the penultimate game was enough to secure the league title, the goals this time shared by Elen McIntosh (2), Samantha McKillen and Faye Roddy.

Going into the last game v Dunloy, the chances of 12 wins from 12 games were dealt a harsh blow due to a multitude of injuries to key players and the promotion of some players to the Senior Championship, however the depleted side did put in a battling performance going down by a four-point margin, Maria Bakewell and Elen McIntosh getting the goals in a 2-10 to 4-8 defeat.

Match Referee Owen Elliott was on hand afterwards to present the silverware to MacUilín captain Kathryn Mullan. A fantastic and historic year for the Ballycastle Division 2, Senior Reserve Camógs.

With the Senior Football on one pitch and senior camogie on the other there was plenty to keep spectators entertained in Cloney on Wednesday night.

Gort Na Mona made the trip North for Ahoghill’s 2nd league game.  

Despite the scoreline the Belfast girls didn’t let up and their defence managed to regurgitate countless balls that were going in to the forward line, Jane McGionagle and Rachel Mulholland in particular worked hard to hold off the onslaught in the 1st half. Gort keeper, Colleen McAvoy, saved at least another 3 goal attempts from Gemma ODonnell Aoibheann Mullen and Bronagh Graffin.

The mid field duo of Aisling ODonnell(Co minor) and Niamh Neeson ( Still on release until Friday from Dual County duty) caused  a lot of damage. 

Neeson (2.02) getting the 1st and 3rd goals – a rocket into the top corner and O’Donnell pointing 0.07 all from play.

Little got past No 6 Eadaoín McGarry (C) and anything that did was mopped up by Mairead McCloskey and Sephora OConnell.

Noreen Graham (1.03) proivded scores and support play in the half forward line before moving into nets for the last 20 minutes to let Aine Graham out (also getting a club game in before Ulster Championship with Antrim Intermediates.)

Aine fitted in sweetly to half forward and got herself 0.02 on the scoreboard.  

7 players scored for the home side, Fiona Blaney and Annemarie ONeill, 0.01 apiece and both putting in excellent 2nd half performances and Tara McDonnell who came on for Gemma O’Donnell in corner forward in the last 10 got a point for her efforts.

The weighted score-line allowed both teams to make full use of their bench. 

Gort had a lot of young and speedy players who will be enjoying the Club’s move back up to Division 2 despite only scoring 0.01(F) they put in a gutsy performance.

Ahoghill: Aine Graham (0.02) Sephora OConnell, Mairead McCloskey, Frances Creighton, Caitlin McLaughlin, Eadaoin McGarry, Dervla Graffin, Niamh Neeson (2.02)

Aisling ODonnell(0.07) Annemarie ONeill (0.01) , Noreen Graham (1.03), Fiona Blaney (0.01), Aoibheann Mullen, Bronagh Graffin, Gemma ODonnell.

Subs used Emma McGlone, Tara McDonnell (0.01),  Maria Blaney, Bronagh McGuigan

Antrim Camogie League – Division 2

Ballycastle 2-10 Loughgiel 1-07

Pics and report by Darach Ó Maoláin

Much like recent days, the sun’s blinding rays had enveloped the green grass of our playing fields in the late evening air. This blinding atmosphere was not detrimental to the swift and skilful Ballycastle force who collided with Loughgiel in the Antrim Senior Division 2 Camogie League. The Town was off to a great start with fantastic efforts being displayed by Ellen McIntosh. An early point scored by Maria Bakewell had set the tone for the match. Although Ballycastle were making strides, the efforts of Erin Connolly, Eimear McKinley and the goalkeeper, Shauna McKillop, were keeping further scores at bay. Despite these great efforts, a swift strike of the ball by Samantha McKillen gave Ballycastle a goal. The home team were not giving up, and it must be highlighted that Louise McKillop and Zoe Cassley had conducted themselves very gracefully throughout the match and had kept the spirit of fighting back alive. 

Half Time  – Ballycastle 1-4 Loughgiel 0-03

Ballycastle also started the second half very strongly, and it was evident that Shauna McKillop had been put under great pressure, but she stood firm and defended magnificently. Maria Bakewell and Tara McAfee showed well but they were outmanoeuvred by an impressive display by Rósín Cummings. However, despite such efforts, it became abundantly clear that that speed and tenacity of Ellen McIntosh and Maebh O’Neill were unrivalled. Cara Connolly and Emma McMullan kept the fight going with the help of their comrades in withstanding the Ballycastle force. As the match progressed, a fantastic goal by Ellen McIntosh solidified Ballycastle’s position in the later stages of the match and sealed the win

Antrim Camogie League – Division 2

St Mary’s Ahoghill 2-14 Cargin 0-11

An excellent start to the league for Ahoghill Senior Camogs this evening with a win against visitors, Cargin in their opening game in Div 2.
The new season has also brought new management, with Francis Neeson returning to camogie coaching at the Club after several years away dedicated to playing dual codes, Declan Scullion, who returned to his Club roots a few years ago in terms of coaching and management with the male squads, has now joined Francis and Nicola Doherty is also on board.
The new look was reflected on the pitch as well with players in different positions, such as Noreen Graham in nets – currently resting an injury- Goal keeping might be a Graham gift and a new position for her as she did a super job in there this evening.
Some younger girls got their 1st taste of competitive Senior camogie and Eadaoín McGarry was named Captain with Bronagh Graffin Vice-Captain.

The game was nip and tuck in the 1st half, with Cargin going 3 points up but Niamh Neeson, in mid-field, found the net shortly before half time to level it at the break
Cargin 0.07 Ahoghill 1.04

Playing with the wind in the second half
the home side split the posts at the restart and added 1.10 throughout the remainder of the game.
Aisling O’Donnell wearing No.9 scored 0.02, Aine Graham in centre half forward, rather than her usual defensive position, notched up 0.06 in total, Aoibheann Mullen (1.0) found the net for the 2nd goal of the game,
Bonagh Graffin hit 0.01 and
Niamh Neeson tallied 1.05

There was excellent team play all over the field
Noreen, excellent in nets was supported well by Eadaoín McGarry in centre half, Sephora OConnell and Mairead McCloskey and Dervla Graffin.
Great link-up play in mid field with the half forward line and dogged determination in the forward line, there were scoring opportunities missed but the Ahoghill girls will be happy with their first run out.

All in all a great opening game, Cargin added a further 4 points in the 2nd half, with Eleanor Mallon and sister Catherine putting in an excellent shift. Sarah ONeill amd Tanya ONeill also put in noteworthy performances.
The girls in green have also, only recently, had new management come on board.
Stephen Magill who took the minors the last 2 years stepped up to Senior for 2023, assisted by Liam McAtamney who has been a constant in Cargin Camogie’s back- room team.