Antrim Junior Camogie Final
St. Paul’s 2-8 Ballycastle 0-7
ST. Paul’s produced a strong performance to overcome the challenge of Ballycastle in wintry conditions in Rasharkin. Ten minutes into the game the heavens opened with a heavy hail shower but when conditions settled down the sides went on to produce a good final.
Last year’s beaten finalists St. Paul’s dominated the opening half and goals from Maeve Devlin in the 11th and 19th minute saw them in control at the halfway stage.
Ballycastle, for whom Emma Connor was excellent at centre-half, did better after the break and actually out-scored their opponents but never looked like getting the goal they needed to mount a serious challenge.
The ‘Castle’ were first on target as Shannon McQuillan pointed a free in the 4th minute but Nicole Munce fired over the equaliser as the game was treated to a heavy shower of hailstones.
Saorlaith Brennan gave the Shaw’s Road girls the lead with a point in the 10th minute and when Maeve Devlin followed with a goal from an acute angle St. Paul’s were in control.
Saorlaith Brennan added her second point of the afternoon before Shannon McQuillan replied from her second free in the 17th minute as the North Antrim side struggled to break down a solid ‘Hoops’ defence.
A second goal from Devlin, two minutes later and points from Rebecca McConville and Fionnghuala Rocks saw the Shaw’s Road side head for the dressing rooms leading 2-5 to 0-2 and even at this stage it looked a long way back for Ballycatle.
The Seasiders needed a good start to the second half if they were to make inroads into the St. Paul’s lead but it was St. Paul’s who extended their lead with a Niamh Ritchie point after 30 seconds.
Slowly though Ballycastle started to enjoy some success with their free taker, Shannon McQuillan adding two more to bring her total for the evening to four and Emma McQuillan striking a good effort from play to give her side some encouragement.
Rebecca McConville for the Red & White hoops and McQuillan with another well struck free exchanged further points by the 22nd minute but St. Paul’s were always able to find a response.
Fionnghuala Rocks fired over a long range free and Saorlaith Brennan added another from play before Erin O’Harra in the ‘Castle’ goals pulled off an excellent save as the Belfast girls threatened again.
Louise McBride replied with a late point for Ballycastle and it was to prove the game’s final score as last year’s beaten finalists celebrated at the final whistle after a game where they were always in control.
St. Paul’s: 1 Deirdre Valley, 2 Dairine Phillips, 3 Gemma McGroarty, 4 Aoibhinn Hand, 5 Enya Daye, 6 Katierose Bell, 7Caoimhe Bell, 8 Emer Rocks, 9 Niamh Ritchie, 10 Cara Duncan, 11 Fionnghuala Rocks, 12 Nicole Munce, 13 Cliodhna Phillips, 14 Saorlaith Brennan, 15 Rebecca McConville, 18 Maeve Devlin
Ballycastle: 1 Erin O’Hara, 2 Anna Bakewell, 4 Emma Fairley, 5 Noelle McAuley, 6 Emma Connor, 7 Rebecca Barrett, 8 Ellie McGarry, 9 Kaci-Lee Hunter, 10 Caitlin Hunter, 11 Grainne Hunter, 12 Shannon McQuillan, 13 Dani McQuillan, 14 Kara Brolly, 15 Amy Hunter. 24 Louise McBride
Referee: Paul O’Neill (Creggan)
