Antrim Minor Camogie Championship final: Cushendall 3-9 Dunloy 2-7
EVEN though defending champions Dunloy led by 2-3 to 0-1 coming into the interval in Saturday evening’s Antrim minor championship final in Glenravel, they were never comfortable against a young Ruairí Óg side that would eventually push through and win their second title.
Dunloy had played with the aid of the breeze and were able to control general play through the excellence of Katie Molloy at centre-half back and Bríd Magill up front.
However, they didn’t really convert that dominance into scores. Cushendall’s defence worked hard, but there were also half-hit efforts from the Cúchulainn’s for which they would eventually pay dear.
Magill opened the scoring with a free in the ninth minute and Molloy added a second before Magill fired home the opening goal also from a free at the midway point of the half.
It took 20 minutes before Orlaith McCurry opened Cushendall’s account, but Magill responded with her second goal and Molloy added a point. Dunloy were opening a gap.
However, they went in just five points ahead at the break, 2-4 to 1-2, thanks to a late rally from Cushendall, Monique O’Boyle sweeping home a goal and Orlaith McAlister pointing a free with Magill responding with a late point.
McAlister pointed on the restart and again Magill replied before the game-changing score from a McAlister free arrived in the 36th minute. Her effort from 47 metres went all the way to the Dunloy net.
Eimear Johnston came back with a point for Dunloy but the momentum was with the seasiders and points from Monique O’Boyle and McAlister were followed by a solo goal from Síne Woodhouse to put Cushendall ahead for the first time.
Dunloy were to score just once in the final quarter, another point from Magill, while McAlister tagged on four more points, two each from frees and 45s to secure the victory.
Cushendall scorers: O McAlister (1-7, 0-6 frees), M O’Boyle (1-1), S Woodhouse (1-0), O McCurry (0-1)
Dunloy scorers: Bríd Magill (2-5, 1-4 frees), K Molloy (0-1 free), E Johnston (0-1)