Hurling & Camogie

Derry overcome Armagh in Ulster camogie goal-fest

Megan Kerr was in impressive form for Derry at the weekend  
Megan Kerr was in impressive form for Derry at the weekend   Megan Kerr was in impressive form for Derry at the weekend  

FANS in Keady were treated to a goal-fest as Derry overcame Armagh 8-11 to 4-10 in the NWP Recycling Ulster Senior Championship semi-final at the weekend.

The home side started the game brightly, with Ciara Donnelly pointing four times from the placed ball. The Eglish player also hit home a penalty, but strong performances from Megan Kerr in midfield and Aileen McCusker helped the Oak Leafers seize control of the game.

Maria Mooney was deployed at full-forward and her running at pace caused problems for the Armagh defence, the Eoghan Rua player grabbing a hat-trick of goals. The power of Katie McAnelly also trouble the Orchard defence as she extended Derry’s lead, Michelle McArdle responded for Armagh as they trailed 7-8 to 1-5 at the break.

The second-half saw Armagh take the game to Derry, the influential Ciara Donnelly was moved to midfield and helped them gain a stranglehold as the Orchard girls battled their way into the game, with Michelle McArdle and Rachel Merry raising the green flag. Derry replied once more, with McAnelly pointing and a point right at the end of the game from Dervla O’Kane put the gloss on a great Derry performance.

Derry manager Ciaran Cunningham was delighted his side will have the chance to defend their Ulster crown on June 12 and paid special tribute to Dervla O’Kane: “Armagh caught us on the hop in the first 10 minutes, but we settled down into the game. I thought our forward line was exceptional at times and no team in Ireland could have coped with them and what was very pleasing was the way we kept the pressure on Armagh.

“Fair play to Armagh, they won the first 10 minutes for the second-half, but our girls were professional to the end and were deserving of the victory, we can only hope that we can go on and retain the Ulster Championship. A special mention must go to Dervla O’Kane, who scored 1-1 in such a difficult week, she was a credit to her father and family,” added Cunningham.

In the other semi-final, a goal in either half from the sharpshooting Raquel McCarry helped Antrim see off Down to advance to the decider. Niamh Mallon provided the main scoring threat for Down and the Mourne girls held a narrow one point led at the break - 0-10 to 1-6 - but Antrim pushed on in the second-half and ran out seven-point victors on a scoreline of 2-15 to 1-11.