AIB Ulster senior club camogie final: Slaughtneil (Derry) 2-8 Loughgiel (Antrim) 1-7
SLAUGHTNEIL’S reign as the AIB Ulster Club camogie champions continues after they bounced back from an early Loughgiel goal to eke out a four-point win in the opening game in Páirc Esler, Newry.
As with the previous four finals, this was a skilful and closely fought encounter that provided some excellent scores in the opening half but just five points in the second half despite goalmouth scrambles at each end.
Shannon Graham was a worthy recipient of player of the match. She was everywhere adding energy and presence in the tackle and breaking clear again and again.
Her goal in the 26th minute was brilliantly executed and put her team in control of the tie, but she also chased back to force turnovers late in the game.
Tina Bradley, Louise Dougan, Aoife Ní Chaiside and joint captains Siobhán Bradley and Gráinne Ní Chatháin were others to mix work rate with composure in possession for the winners.
Loughgiel had plenty of heroes at the back; Megan Coyle was sound in goals, Maeve Connolly was strong at centre back and got up for a point, Charlene Campbell, Chloe Higgins and Lucia McNaughton with Anna Connolly dropping back into a sweeper role.
Their attack caused plenty of problems at the start, but as the game progressed they struggled to get clear although manager PJ O’Mullan felt they had a few goal chances that got away.
“We had three or four, one ten minutes from the end that might have made a difference. You have to take those against a team like Slaughtneil.
“I can’t have any complaints however. I felt we gave everything with quite a few players new to this level.”
Player of the match Graham admitted that it was a tough game.
“Again! We don’t get anything easy against Loughgiel. They got a good start on us, but we are a strong group of players and I knew we would work hard and get back into it.
“We haven’t been scoring as heavily as other years, but our work rate is good all over the pitch and we are not easily beaten.”
Loughgiel opened well with a point from a free for Emma McMullan, another from Caitrín Dobbin and then McMullan made it three, picking up a pass from her cousin Anna Connolly.
Next came a piece of opportunism from Claire McKillop when a long ball in from Caitrín Dobbin was blocked down by goalie Jolene Bradley and McKillop poked it home. 1-3 to 0-0 and just seven minutes gone!
However Tina Bradley got Slaughtneil going in the next attack and Shannon Graham popped over another point before a good move under the stand opened up with handpasses between Siobhán Bradley, Sinéad Mellon and Olivia Rafferty and Rafferty, one on one with the goalie, slipped the silo tar in along the ground.
Maeve Connolly responded with a point from the corner, while Graham and Tina Bradley from a free tied the scores at 1-4 each after 22 minutes.
Roisin McCormick scored a fine individual point at the other end. But two minutes later she lost a tussle on the far wing with Céat McEldowney and Eilís McGrath delivered a high ball in around the 20 metre line that Shannon Graham took above her head at full pace and fired to the top corner.
Tina Bradley added a free and Slaughtneil turned around with a 2-5 to 1-5 lead.
Graham won two frees in the opening minutes of the second half and Bradley converted both. But despite dominating possession they failed to score again until the 51st minute, Loughgiel’s defence keeping the team in with a chance.
Emma McMullan converted two frees for the Shamrocks and Caitrín Dobbin had an opening for a goal but her shot skidded across the goal and narrowly wide.
It may not have changed the result but it certainly would have made for an exciting finish. With no less than a gap of four points however, the experienced Derry team were composed and kept going their quest for a fourth successive All-Ireland title.
Slaughtneil: J Bradley; Céat McEldowney, G Ní Catháin, E McGrath; B McAllister, A Ní Chaiside, C McGrath; S Graham (1-2), C Mulholland, S Bradley, T Bradley (0-6, 0-4 frees), T Mellon; O Rafferty (1-0), S Mellon, L Dougan.
Subs: J McMullan for T Mellon (48).
Loughgiel: M Coyle, C Campbell, C Higgins, Ciara Laverty, M Lynn, M Connolly (0-1), S Devlin, A Boyle, L McNaughton, E McMullan (0-4, 0-3 frees), A Connolly, Caitrin Dobbin (0-1), C McKillop (1-0), Christine Laverty, R McCormick (0-1)
Subs: O Laverty for A Boyle (40), M McGarry for C McKillop (48), Ciara Dobbin for M Lynn (57).
Referee : Philip McDonald (Cavan)
