Sport

Antrim book place in Ulster junior final with impressive win over Fermanagh

Ulster Junior Championship semi-final: Antrim 2-13 Fermanagh 1-10

ULSTER champions Antrim booked their place in next month’s final with an impressive win over Fermanagh in Saturday’s semi-final at Silverbridge.

The Saffrons, having just shaded it in the first half, led by two points at half-time, 2-5 to 1-6, having played into a strong wind, with it all still very much to play for, for both sides.

However, after the break, Antrim dominated and were very much in control, full-forward Orlaith Prenter, who finished with seven points, and corner forward Grainne McLaughlin (1-4), excellent up front while Saoirse Tennyson, returning from an injury sustained against Fermanagh back in Feburary, at centre half back put in a huge shift nullifying the threat of Blaithin Bogue.

They held Fermanagh to just four second half points while Prenter herself hit six for Antrim. Fermanagh were very reliant on the accuracy of Eimear Smyth from frees (0-7), however against a swirling wind she and Fermanagh struggled for scores.

Now Erne manager James Daly must quickly regroup as they face Derry in the second semi-final this Sunday in Healy Park, which is a curtain-raiser to the Tyrone v Derry men’s senior championship quarter-final.

The first half was a tight affair, McLaughlin’s 26th minute goal - a well-worked team move - helping to give Antrim that edge going in at half-time. The sides were level five times in the opening quarter or so as the lead exchanged hands on four occasions, Sarah Britton’s 14th minute goal putting Fermanagh 1-4 to 0-4 ahead. However, Antrim were back on level terms two minutes later when Carey’s free caught in the wind and a Fermanagh defender could only manage to steer it into the back of her own net.

Smyth (free) put Fermanagh back in front again before McLaughlin’s goal opened up a two point advantage. 2-4 to 1-5, that they managed to hold on to at half-time.

Antrim hit four points without reply in the third quarter to move 2-9 to 1-6 ahead, Prenter finding her range with a brace in between two McLaughlin frees. Fermanagh were creating chances but three balls dropped short into Anna McCann’s hands while the Antrim defence also stood resolute overturning their opposition.

A Smyth free in the 46th minute ended Fermanagh’s dry spell to reduce the arrears to five but Prenter was more than a match for them at the other end despite the efforts of Bogue and Smyth for Fermanagh.

Fermanagh’s day was summed up when Cadhla Bogue was sin binned four minutes from time as they saw the game out with 14 while Carey and Prenter wrapped up a fine win.