Preview and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran

Sunday the 27^th April won’t come quick enough for Antrim Camogie supporters. With the Minors travelling to the majestic setting of Nowlan Park in Kilkenny for their All Ireland final against Laois, and the Seniors enjoying a shorter trip to Loughgiel for their Ulster semifinal against old rivals, Down. 

Antrim’s Minors had a good run to the final but didn’t come through unscathed as they tip toed past Kildare by one point in round three. Their opponents, Laois, didn’t fare much better, slipping ahead of Kildare by two points in their semifinal game. Could that be an indication to the type of game ahead for both squads on Sunday? 

In Antrim’s favour will be that they have had an extra match, having been in a group of four as opposed to Laois in a group of three. In the respective semis, Antrim paired off against Waterford and enjoyed an emphatic win with twelve points the better (Antrim 2-13 Waterford 1-04), whilst Laois arguably are battle weary from their two-point semifinal win against Kildare. Sunday’s game could prove to be possibly one of the best minor camogie games this year. 

All Ireland A Shield, Antrim v Laois, UPMC Nowlan Park, Kilkenny throw-in 2:30pm. Your ticket link is here… 

https://www.universe.com/events/electric-ireland-minor-a-cork-v-kilkenny-a-shield-final-antrim-v-laois-tickets-54QMVL

At the other end of the country, Antrim’s seniors will face old rivals Down, always considered to be a tough game and few will predict a result until after the whistle is blown!  

Antrim’s last game against Down was on the fifteenth of March in the Very National Div 1B league in Ahoghill. Down were sporting a temporary goalkeeper, Neisha McCullough, having stood the test very well letting in only one goal from Antrim’s Annie Lynn but later confessed that this was most definitely a temporary ‘thing’. Antrim too would exercise a change of goalkeeper, having Becky Ellis in goals as Catriona Graham took a short break. 

That game will be remembered for Down’s persistence in the first half to trail on the short whistle by a goal and a point, but Antrim returned in the second half to display a degree of dominance for the eventual win by six points.  

Although Antrim’s Caitrin Dobbin picked up an injury during the Very league national final that will most likely require rest, the McCormick/Coulter bench will be jostling to fill that gap, such is the desire and competitiveness of this squad. This is an Ulster semifinal that should entertain camogie fans lining the Fr. Healy pitch in Loughgiel. 

Ulster Championship semifinal, Antrim v Down, Fr. Healy Park, Loughgiel throw in 1pm 

Your ticket link is here… 

https://www.universe.com/events/antrim-v-down-armagh-city-hotel-ulster-senior-championship-sf-2025-tickets-C2MT3N?unii-trigger-open=C2MT3N&fbclid=IwY2xjawJ2RSlleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFlb3c2b24zRExjVHRSQmQ5AR7QoqZGCM_rMaWGgrC4vJBRLrhcVIJtK24JHC9MsazfWxYuifF79fCVLKBvWg_aem_3msovxHUqXrbio9xXgj7Nw

Antrim v Offaly Eir All Ireland U16 ‘A’ Shield 19^th April 2025 

Antrim 1-10 Offaly 3-06 

Match report and photos from Antrim Camogie PRO Michael Corcoran in Portglenone 

Antrim’s dream of an All-Ireland final came to an end when a determined Offaly side fired in their third goal in the eleventh minute of the second half, leaving the Saffrons with an uphill battle to close a six-point gap, despite Offaly unable to score for the remainder of the game. 

A Cliodhna Thompson goal in the twenty sixth minute found the roof of the net from a free, despite the line packed with Offaly players. This gave Antrim hope, but as they say, goals win games, and an eventual two points difference would see Offaly over the line for their final. 

Portglenone were the hosts for today’s All-Ireland game and worries regarding the status of the pitch were unnecessary as the turf weathered the recent deluge of rain remarkably well. 

Today’s referee, Karol Collins, got proceedings underway, with a coin toss that allowed Antrim to choose playing into the wind in the first half, and at the top of the hour at 3 o’clock, it would be Antrim’s JoJo Darragh that would press into Offaly’s territory in just under thirty seconds from the throw-in but the sliotar would drift wide of the post. 

Antrim’s Anna Smyth would register the first score with a fine point following a period of intense play for the sliotar and Eimear Ward would make that two points on the board following a skillful solo run and with six minutes gone, Cliodhna Thompson tidied up a pass that gave Antrim three points. 

Offaly’s Laura Foley had Collins chalking up The Faithful County’s first point after a pass from teammate Keeva Davey, but Antrim’s first pain point would come sixteen minutes in from a free awarded to Offaly that dropped dangerously into Antrim’s square from Keeva Davey. An instinctive reaction from keeper, Maeve Scullion was to block the sliotar, but an unmarked and alert Siofra Ginty would pull on the loose ball for Offaly’s first of three green flags. 

Antrim would respond to that goal with a fine solo and point from Cliodhna Thompson, but Offaly would reply with a punishing point from Ginty after a puck out dropped short into the wind, followed by Ginty’s 45. Antrim’s Caoimhe McErlain kept the scoreboard alive when she won a hard-earned ruck with a fine finishing point but just as the Saffron’s were making progress, Offaly replied with another two points, one from a free by Ginty and a second after Antrim’s Amy Gault swept back to the goal line to save a certain goal but the puck out went straight into the hands of a receptive Keeva Davey. 

With only three points the difference at the twenty fifth minute, amidst a cluster of players in Antrim’s square, Siofra Ginty managed to find the net for her second goal and topped that with a point in less than a minute. Antrim would claw back one of those whenever Cliodhna Thompson was fouled and made good of the opportunity for her point just before the half time whistle, scores on the board Antrim 0-06 Offaly 2-06. 

Offaly made good of the wind advantage in the first half and carried the sliotar far into Antrim’s half from their puck outs, negating the need and risk of working the sliotar out and up the pitch. Offaly made the most of those and worked their opportunities into unmarked players to create goal opportunities. It would be Antrim’s turn to see if the elements would deliver similar opportunities. 

The second half started well for Antrim, Thompson and McErlain both pointing early but Offaly turned up the heat on the eleventh minute and a tidy sequence of play seeing Caragh Brophy hand pass at speed to a running Annie Mulhare, offloading to a nearby and unmarked Laura Foley for Offaly’s third and final green flag. 

Six points adrift, Antrim started their move on the board as Tamara Black cleverly intercepted a free out from Offaly, and solo ran the sliotar close enough to carry the bar. The game now entered a period of physical intensity, reflecting Offaly’s determination to preserve their lead and Antrim’s need to gain more ground on the board. Offaly had their chance at another goal thwarted by Antrim’s Maeve Scullion after a brilliant save to keep the Saffrons in the game and Antrim’s perseverance was rewarded as Cliodhna Thompson found the net from a packed goal line from a free outside of the 13m line. 

Despite several attempts to gain ground to deliver the sliotar over Offaly’s bar, Antrim weren’t able to find a break and Collins blew for full time, much to the relief of the Offaly fans who were weathering an intense period of play from a pressing Antrim. 

Final score on the board, Antrim 1-10 Offaly 3-06. Offaly now progress to the final, playing Waterford, who managed to win by two points from Derry today. 

Antrim starters and scorers 

Maeve Scullion, Kiera McLaughlin, Laoise McCollam, Isabelle Martin, Orla Munce, Fiadh Sands, Amy Gault, Caoimhe McErlain 0-01, Anna Smyth 0-01, Tamara Black 0-01, Eimear Ward 0-02, JoJo Darragh 0-01, Adria McAllister, Aedin Vallely, Cliodhna Thompson 1-04 (1f) 

Offaly starters and scorers 

Aoibhinn Slattery, Elodie Loonam, Tara Moran, Moya Cummins, Ailbhe Martin, Ruby Oakley, Rachel Cunningham, Siobhán Ryan, Ali Smyth, Caragh Brophy, Laura Foley 1-01, Keeva Davey 0-01, Holly Sexton, Siofra Ginty 2-04 (1f, 1×45), Annie Mulhare 

Photos from today’s game can be found in the album here… 

https://myalbum.com/album/FfGm5TbBTa8m4F/?invite=27f3fda6-988a-440c-b7ef-3b43439950ff

All Ireland Under 16 Camogie Shield semi-final

Saturday 19th April at Portglenone. Throw-in 3pm

Antrim can be excused for having a slight déjà vu feeling as they rematch with Offaly in Saturday’s All Ireland semi final in Portglenone. Their earlier encounter favoured Antrim with a 1-11 to 0-09 scoreline but many Saffron supporters were glad to hear the final whistle as a resurgent Offaly pressed harder in the second half and only for some classy goalkeeping from Maeve Scullion, Antrim could have had a very different outcome.

An early goal from Antrim by Adria McAllister in the first six minutes put Offaly on the back foot for much of the game and certainly in the first half as Antrim went to the break five points up. The half time team talk witnessed a revitalised Offaly and Antrim’s defence went into overdrive for the remainder of the game, pinning Offaly on the scoreboard to their nine points as Antrim regained some control to maintain their five point lead at the final whistle.

Offaly’s Siofra Ginty proved to be The Faithful County’s talismanic person. Ginty’s six points and two of those from frees, helped Offaly’s cause and Ginty was always a running threat but equalled in presence by Antrim’s JoJo Darragh and Cliodhna Thompson, notwithstanding the contribution from Caoimhe McErlain.

The other semi final sees Waterford, just topping the table ahead of Antrim, play Derry at a slightly earlier time of 2pm in Naomh Mearnóg. Antrim were pushed to the back foot against Derry but drew with Waterford 1-07 apiece in Abbotstown. A few Saffron supporters will feel a Waterford final could be a preferable match and maybe a more interesting game given the parity of their recent camogie.

Saturday’s game against Offaly has bigger consequences for Antrim this time, and it will remain to be seen who has the greatest hunger for leaning in, fighting for every ball and taking the score when the opportunity arises. Saturday’s winner will reap the prize of a place in the All Ireland final on the third or fourth of May, and that should help to focus minds and spectators will not be disappointed as these two teams go toe to toe in the U16 A Shield All Ireland semi final in Portglenone on Saturday. The throw in is at a relaxed time of 3pm and the Saffron Gael is pleased to be able to attend and bring you a match report and photos from play.

Your ticket link is here…https://www.universe.com/users/camogie-association-0LQ93P