Antrim minors got their Ulster campaign off to a great start with an impressive performance against a hardworking and resilient Erne side.
Antrim got off to a flying start when Evie McAllister scored a well taken goal to begin the game. After a number of missed opportunities the young Saffs took control through the ever reliable Erin Stewart from both open play and dead balls. While Fermanagh moved the ball well to a dangerous full forward line the defensive work of Aine McCavana, Sally Scullion, Aoife Mitchell and keeper Mia Carlin restricted them to some long range frees.
A second goal for Antrim by wing back Lila McCann and solid midfield work from Amelie Annett, Laura Scullion, Brooke Largey and Aideen McDonnell kept Antrim in control and moving forward. The work rate and dangerous running of Aoife Fitzsimon, Anna Adams and Chloe Boyd Munce marshalled by captain Leah Stewart insured that the Glens girls had a healthy 3-8 to 1-4 lead at the break.
The second half saw Antrim introduce the experienced group of Jojo Darragh, Ruby McErlain, Aoife Leahy, Siobhan McGurk and keeper Zoey Kerr and the game followed a similar pattern with Antrim dominating possession and working relentlessly in defence.
Antrim completely changed their team allowing all players an opportunity and with the constant scoring threat of Darragh, McErlain and debutant Orlaith McCrory always had control of the game. The Antrim backs continued to move the ball forward quickly and were comfortable in possession.
By this stage Antrim were being driven forward with clever passing from Aoife Garland and Grace Ferris and the strong running of Cara Lynch, Lacey Saunders and Jess Hotchkiss. The Naomh Eanna pair of Tara Rodgers and Maria Mallon were now in the thick of the action and Seana Bradley replaced the injured Siobhan McGurk. After a brave piece of play Antrim were unlucky to concede a penalty that was saved by the reliable Zoey Kerr.
A pleasing start for Antrim and an impressive spread of scores put Antrim in good spirits for the challenge of Tyrone in a fortnight’s time.
Antrim Scorers
E Stewart 1-4
R McErlain 1-4
J Darragh 1-2
E McAllister 1-1
L McCann 1-0
L Stewart 0-3
A Fitzsimons 0-1
A Adams 0-1
TO VIEW MORE OF NIALL MITCHELL’S PHOTOGRAPHS CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
A resurgent Antrim, showing a number of changes from the team named on Saturday night, found their shooting boots in Carrick on Shannon on Sunday as they swept aside the challenge of a fancied Leitrim.
A Paul Honeyford goal, three minutes into first half injury time handed Leitrim a lifeline as Antrim dominated in a wind assisted opening half to lead 1-11 to 1-3 at the interval at Pairc MacDiarmada.
It failed to materialise however as a hungry Antrim fired over the first five points of the second half as a team who have found scores hard to come by in recent weeks, scored at will.
Despite kicking seven wides early in the game the visitors recovered from a Mark Diffley 2 pointer with one of their own from Dominic McEnhill to finally get themselves on the scoreboard after 11 minutes.
Eoghan McCabe added a point to give Antrim the lead before McEnhill kicked his second of the game to move the Saffrons 0-5 to 0-2 ahead as they began to grow in confidence.
Marc Jordan drives forward to set up an Antrim attack
As the Antrim confidence grew Conor Hand struck the game’s opening goal for the visitors as he got on the end of a flowing move orchestrated by Marc Jordan but it appeared at this stage that it would take a substantial lead at half time, given the strength of the breeze favouring of the visitors.
Antrim continued to dominate possession as they won dirty ball around mid-field and Pat Shivers added a point before his Erin’s Own colleague, John McNabb came forward from goals to fire over and raise the Orange flag to move his side 8 ahead by the 25th minute.
Leitrim, who had started the season well with 2 wins from three starts finally got their third point of the half when Paul Honeyford split the posts in the 26th minute but it provided only temporary relief for his side.
Antrim hit back over the next seven minutes with points each from Eunan Walsh, Joseph Finnegan and Paddy McAleer as a rejuvenated Antrim continued to turn the screw.
Exchanges were becoming increasingly fractious as frustration began to creep into the Leitrim play but the hosts finally breeched the visitors defence and Paul Honeford got in for a goal on the stroke of half time to give them some hope for the second half.
There was further hostility between the sides on the way to the dressing room at half time with Antrim’s Sean Og O’Neill and Leitrim’s Ryan O’Rourke shown Yellow prior to the second half throw-in.
The hosts needed a good start to the new half if they were to claw back the Antrim lead but for the first time this season fortune appeared to have favoured Mark Doran’s side when a heavy shower during the half time interval abated and the breeze died as a consequence.
Goal scorer, Conor Hand
Indeed it was Antrim who set down another marker on the restart as they kicked the first five points of the new half with Dominic McEnhill, John McNabb (2pt free) and two more from the on song McEnhill moving them 1-16 to 1-3 ahead by the 10th minute.
Ben Guckian and Paul Honeyford replied with 2 pointers to close the gap to 9 as the home support dared to believe and another Orange flag raised by the highly rated Barry McNulty had it back to seven with still 16 minutes of normal time remaining.
The visitors were in no mood to relinquish what they had earned however and another creative build up saw Ryan McQuillan’s shot on goal charged down with Paddy McAleer on hand to finish to the net.
Both keepers then pulled off saves as the intensity increased with Killian Gaffney denying Pat Shivers at one end and John McNabb performing similar heroics as Barry McNulty threatened.
A Ryan McQuillan point in the 24th minute got Antrim going again with Barry McNulty raising Orange again to keep Leitrim’s fading hopes alive with 7 minutes remaining.
Back came the visitors and Dominic McEnhill raced clear to fist over before his side received a setback when Joe Finnegan was shown straight Red following an overzealous challenge on Barry McNulty.
Dominic McEnhill who top scored for Antrim in Carrick on Shannon
McNulty punished the foul with a 2 pointer from the resulting free and he would exchange the game’s final points with Antrim’s Ryan McQuillan as Mark Doran’s side collected their first win of the season.
A great win for Antrim and while the promotion ship appears to have sailed it will hopefully set the Saffrons up for a strong finish to the season in preparation for the their Ulster championship opener against Derry.
Leitrim: Killian Gaffey; Eoin McLoughlin, Kieran Clancy, Conor Reynolds; Oisin McLoughlin, Mark Diffley (0-02p) , Éanna McNamara; Conor Quinn, Keith Keegan; Fergal McLoughlin, Riordan O’Rourke, Michael McKiernan; Ben Guckian (0-2 2p), Ryan O’Rourke, Paul Honeyman (1-03 2p).
Subs: Barry McNulty 0 – 7 2pf (0 2p for O McLoughlin (HT); Tom Prior for F McLoughlin (43); Gavin Reynolds for McKiernan (51); Seán Harkin for Reynolds (58); Jack Kelly 0 – 1 for Honeyman (64).
Antrim: John McNabb (0-05 2p, 2pf f); Sean O’Neill, Joseph Finnegan, Kavan Keenan; Eoghan McCabe 0 – 1, Ronan Boyle, Mark Jordan; Paddy McAleer (1-01), Tomas McFerran; Conor Hand (1-00), Pat Shivers (0-1), Eunan Walsh (0 -01) Ryan McQuillan (0-02); Adam Loughran, Dominic McEnhill (0 –08)
Subs: Ryan Murray for Loughran (61); Cathal Hynds for Boyle (67); Tiernan McCormack for Walsh (69); James McAuley for Keenan (72).
Brendan McTaggart reports from Corrigan Park, Belfast
Antrim recorded their first win of the season on Sunday afternoon as they swept aside the challenge of Carlow at Corrigan Park. 13 points was the difference between the sides, in truth the final score flattered the Barrowsiders as the Saffrons produced the goods.
With this game being billed as a ‘must win’, Antrim answered plenty of the questions being posed of this side and after a disappointing display against Kildare, there were plenty of questions. But the longer this contest continued, Davy Fitzgerald’s side played with fluency and a confidence that has been missing in the opening three games. Carlow were chasing Saffron shadows in the final quarter with Antrim relentless.
Seaan Elliott top scored with six of his eight points coming from placed ball while captain Conal Cunning finished the hour with six white flags. Keelan Molloy marked his return to the county starting 15 with a man of the match display from midfield and split the uprights on three occasions – making it 17 points in total from the Dunloy clubmen.
This was a performance that overshadowed any individual displays, however. With the three named, Joe Maskey and Ryan McCambridge also put in top performances while the work rate all over the pitch in and out of possession was outstanding and fast becoming what this side are being known for.
Carlow competed for long periods and with Marty Kavanagh at his clinical best from placed ball, they always had an outlet. But, they rarely looked like they were capable of pinning Antrim back. Six points coming in open play is a paltry return from the visitors and just three in the second half.
The foundations to the victory were laid in the first half, however. Antrim played with a more attacking shape and despite a slow start, they controlled the first half with Seaan Elliott catching the eye. The delivery of ball into the forward line was excellent throughout as the Saffrons made light of playing into the wind blowing into the far goals at Corrigan Park.
Antrim would have been content with the one point lead they held in the first half. The elements were substantial and largely in their favour for the second half and they were quickest out of the blocks after the restart. Elliot and Molloy started off with two big scores as they extend their lead to three points inside the opening four minutes of the second half.
Antrim full-back Niall O’Connor solos upfield to score a point
Kavanagh’s fifth free of the contest left three between the sides in the 45th minute but Carlow wouldn’t register another score for 11 minutes as Antrim turned the screw, scoring seven points unanswered from five different players. Ruairi Donaghy’s pointed effort in the 48th minute a particular highlight as the Naomh Éanna man rose highest to catch a side line from Molloy before splitting the uprights.
It took the Antrim lead to double figures going into the final minutes of the game as the Saffrons continued to add gloss and finish the game strongly. A long range free from James McNaughton coupled with scores from Cunning, Stephen Rooney and substitute Eoin O’Neill put further daylight between the sides at the death.
The Saffrons face Dublin in seven days’
time with their fate still in their hands. It will take a massive performance to get anything from the Dubs but this 70 plus minutes will help confidence going into that game. It was exactly what was needed after the disappointment of the Kildare game and just rewards for the efforts being put in by all concerned.
ANTRIM: Cormac McFadden; Stephen Rooney, Niall O’Conner, Paddy Burke; Eoin McFerran, Joe Maskey, Gerard Walsh; Ryan McCambridge, Keelan Molloy; Paul Boyle, Conor Johnston, Ruairi Donaghy; Seaan Elliot, James McNaughton, Conal Cunning
Subs: Scott Walsh on for Eoin McFerran (51’), Eoin O’Neill on for Paul Boyle (59’), Joseph McLaughlin on for Ruairi Donaghy (63’), Morgan Nelson on for Conor Johnston (69’), Ryan McNulty on for Gerard Walsh (71’)
Antirm manaer Davy Fitzgerarld shakes hands with his Carlow counterpart Pat Benett at the end of the game. Bennett was Davy’s assistant with Antrim last season.
Scorers: Seaan Elliot 0-8 (0-5f, 0-1 65’), Conal Cunning 0-6, Keelan Molloy 0-3, James McNaughton 0-2 (0-1f), Conor Johnston 0-1, Niall O’Connor 0-1, Ruairi Donaghy 0-1, Stephen Rooney 0-1, Morgan Nelson 0-1, Paul Boyle 0-1
CARLOW: Brian Tracey; Niall Bolger, Dion Wall, Paul Doyle; Fiach O’Toole, Kevin McDonald, Paidi O’Shea; Fiachra Fitzpatrick, Paddy Boland; Chris Nolan, Donagh Murphy, Jon Nolan; Jack Treacy, John Michael Nolan, Martin Kavanagh
Subs: Ted Joyce on for John Michael Nolan (43’), Richard Coady on for Paddy Boland (59’), Kevin Kavanagh on for Donagh Murphy (59’), Eric English on for Paidi O’Shea (67’)
Scorers: Martin Kavanagh 0-5 (0-5f), Kevin McDonald 0-2 (0-1f), Paddy Boland 0-1, Jon Nolan 0-1, Chris Nolan 0-1, Jack Treacy 0-1, John Michael Nolan 0-1
TO SEE MORE PICS FROM THE GAME CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW
The Antrim team to play Leitrim on Sunday at Pairc MacDiarmada, Carrick on Shannon has been announced and is the same side that started against Longford last Sunday in Portgleone.
Hopefully Antrim can get their campaign up and running with their first win of the season but it will be a tough ask against a Leitrim side who have already recorded two wins this season.
Main photo – Antrim’s Nicole McAttamney who was player of the match in Antrim’s historic win over Cork
National Camogie League – Division 1
Cork 1-11 Antrim 2-10
The Antrim Camogie team sent shockwaves through the National Camogie League Division One this weekend, pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent memory by defeating last year’s All-Ireland runners-up, Cork, on their home turf. Little was expected of the Saffron girls when they made the long journey south on Friday. While it must be noted that Cork was missing a number of key players from the squad that lost to Galway in last year’s All-Ireland final, taking down a traditional powerhouse in their own backyard remains a truly remarkable result for Antrim.
The Antrim team who beat Cork in the National Camogie League in Cork. Pic by Sean Kelly
The visitors signaled their intent right from the throw-in. Janey McIntosh opened the scoring for Antrim in the very first minute, setting the tone for a fearless first-half performance. Though Cork’s Hayley Ryan equalized at the seven-minute mark, Antrim quickly took control. The lethal Nicole McAtamney began to find her range, slotting a point from play and another from a free, while Aobha McAllister added back-to-back points in the 18th and 19th minutes. Cork fought hard to stay in touch, relying heavily on the accuracy of Emma Murphy, who raised two white flags, alongside a point from Orlaith Cremin. However, further scores from McIntosh and McAtamney ensured Antrim carried a well-deserved 0-08 to 0-05 lead into the halftime break.
Eobha McAllister who scored three points from midfield
The second half delivered an absolute spectacle. Cork emerged from the dressing room with renewed intensity, rattling off four unanswered points in the opening ten minutes. Emma Murphy sparked the revival with two more points, while Isabel Sheehan and Cremin also found the target, wiping out Antrim’s lead. Just as the momentum seemed to be irreversibly shifting toward the home side, Antrim struck a massive blow. In the 41st minute, Nicole McAtamney breached the Cork defense to smash home the game’s opening goal. Cork’s response was immediate and fierce, with Orlaith Cahalane raising a green flag of her own just two minutes later to level the dramatic contest once again.
Rather than folding under the pressure, the Saffron girls showed immense character in the final quarter. The decisive moment came in the 50th minute when Amy Ferris found the back of the net, giving Antrim a crucial second goal. Smelling a historic victory, McAtamney and McAllister quickly followed up with points to stretch the visitors’ advantage. Cork pushed desperately to salvage the game in the dying moments, securing late points through Cahalane and Millie Condon in the 58th minute, but the Antrim defense held firm. The final whistle confirmed a monumental 2-10 to 1-11 victory for the Saffrons, etching a famous chapter into their Division One campaign.
