Ulster Minor Camogie Championship semi-final: Antrim 3-14 Down 2-5
BOTH Down and Antrim minors had collected All-Ireland titles last month and this eagerly awaited semi-final tie at Fr Healy Park in Loughgiel was set up to be a key fixture in the Ulster title race.
However, Antrim, a point in arrears at the break, turned on the power in the second-half to coast to an easier than expected victory. Indeed, the home side dominated the opening half in terms of possession, but shot a total of 11 wides and were behind 0-8 to 2-3 at half-time.
Down got an early boost when Neisha McCullough's free from 45 metres was deflected into the Antrim net by a defender in the seventh minute. It took Antrim until the 22nd minute to tie the game at 1-2 to 0-5, two of the points coming from the speedy Caoimhe Wright.
However, Down full-forward Eimear Rushe nipped in to shoot to the net soon after and wing-forward Áine Devlin was called upon to narrow the gap with two excellent points before the short whistle.
The Saffrons got the perfect start to the second-half though, with Kirsty McKendry shooting to the net in the opening minute and the arrival of substitute Victoria Edgar sealed victory for them. The Glenravel full-forward fired in a goal from her first possession and added four points in the last quarter, at least two of which could well have been goals.
Soon after Edgar's goal, Caoimhe Wright's effort at a point dipped under the bar and, at 3-9 to 2-5, there was no way back for Down, despite the efforts of Anne Marie Smyth and Caitriona Caldwell.
In general, Antrim's defence was very strong, Bronagh Devlin the stand-out performer along with Catherine McShane. Midfield was under a good bit of pressure during the first-half, but continued to work their way into the game and eventually controlled the sector. Up front, the pace of Caoimhe Wright, Niamh McKee and Áine Devlin had the Down defence stretched, with Victoria Edgar's arrival providing a real goal threat.
The Saffrons will now go into Saturday's final with Armagh as strong favourites to land their sixth title at this level.
MATCH STATS
Antrim: C Graham, K Laverty, N McVeigh, B Devlin, C McShane, C Donnelly, K Lynn, L McKenna (capt.), D Cosgrove (0-1), K McKendry (1-1), M McCormick (0-1), A Devlin (0-2, 0-1 free), N McKee (0-1), N Enright, C Wright (1-4, 0-1 free); Subs: V Edgar (1-4) for N Enright (35), A Donnelly for K McKendry (35), O Donnelly for M McCormick (50), M Bakewell for N McKee (50), R Hargan for A Devlin (55).
Down: L Clarke, M O'Hare, C Byrne, K McGilligan, C Caldwell (0-1), A Woods, S Clarke, N McCullough (capt, 1-0 free), AM Smyth (0-3, 0-1 free), F Toner, E Ennis, K McAleenan (0-1), N McCabe, E Rushe (1-1), E Hagan.
Referee: E Cassidy (Derry).
