ANYONE who has followed Moneyglass, and indeed Antrim during their All-Ireland junior-winning campaign, will have been treated to an exhibition of scoring from Orlaith Prenter.
When St Ergnat’s retained their Antrim county title, the sharp-shooter hit 14 points in the decider against St Paul’s. Prenter followed that up with eight against Bredagh as they embarked on their Ulster campaign and, on Sunday afternoon, incredibly hit all of her side’s 1-13 to see off Tyrone champions St Macartan’s as they booked their place in a first-ever provincial senior club final –becoming the first Antrim side to reach the senior ladies’ decider in the process.
It was a tough battle in Ahoghill as they had to come back from a six point deficit after 22 minutes but, with Prenter hitting an unanswered 1-3, they went in just a point adrift at the break having played into a strong wind.
“It was probably the tightest game we have had this year,” she said.
“Our plan was to play against that wind in the opening half, damage control and keeping it tight in the opening half and then, with the wind in the second half push on and be able to take scores from further out the field.
“It all worked well for us.”
Prenter certainly delivered and was able to strike over another seven points with some beauties from distance, both from placed balls and play.
The second half turned into a real tussle as they remained neck and neck until the 58th minute before the full-forward wrapped up the win with four unanswered points, the last of which was easily the score of the game and one out of the top drawer with the outside of her boot.
Prenter, though, wasn’t taking all the plaudits as she was quick to heap praise on her team-mates.
“We showed great character at the end, holding possession, kept our composure.
“The girls put in great work, winning the frees. The likes of Aoife Kelly, Sarah and Maria O’Neill took a few batters there at the end, they do all the hard work taking the battering and I have the easy part.”
Next up will be the trailblazers of club football - not only in Ulster but also five times All-Ireland senior club champions, Donaghmoyne, and they know it won’t be easy if they are to claim a first Ulster crown.
“We haven’t had it easy so far with Bredagh in the first round and then St Macartan’s, and those victories boost our confidence and hopefully we can go again in two weeks’ time with another good performance.
“People having us as underdogs works well for us and seems to light a fire in our bellies.”
This is only their second time in the campaign but Prenter believes last year’s experience leaves them in a better position, and they have learned a lot from it as well as the games against Bredagh and St Macartan’s.
“Last year was our first championship so we nearly lost ourselves, getting carried away a little winning it.
“This year we have that experience and Ulster is in our sights. It’s about recovery now and we will go again ready for the next day.”
