Following their hard-fought draw with Wexford at Sarsfields in Belfast last weekend, Antrim’s U16 camógs recorded a comprehensive victory over a strong Waterford team at Ashbourne in Co. Meath.
Antrim were out of the traps very quickly indeed with returning target-girl, Caitrín Dobbin flashing an unstoppable shot into the Waterford net within three minutes of the throw-in.
Antrim defied the strong breeze they were playing into and over the next five minutes Sinead Cosgrove, Johanna McKeown and Dobbin again all fired points over the Waterford bar to leave the Déise camógs reeling from the impact.
Kearney, Carson and Tara O’Neill worked well together as a solid half-back line but Waterford eventually composed themselves and clever work from Iona Heffernan let in Mia O’Flynn for their opening score.
The south coasters pulled back two more points from frees before half-time through well-taken efforts by Molly Curran and Lorraine Bray but another goal from Dobbin and two more McKeown points plus a well measured Niamh O’Neill point left Antrim well in command with a half time score of Waterford 0-3 Antrim 2-06.
The second half began with Waterford’s Sara Judge hammering home within a minute of the restart. It was a fine goal but turned out to be Waterford’s last score of the game. Two quick Caitrín Dobbin points in reply for the Saffrons opened the floodgates and Sinead Cosgrove, Johanna McKeown, Claire Kearney and Niamh Adams all added points with the help of the breeze, which Waterford hadn’t been able to take advantage of in the first half.
Antrim then wheeled out the dug-out gang for the last twenty minutes to replace tired legs and finish the game off in style as Antrim played a series of skilful passing moves to retain possession until the final whistle left them with a sixteen point margin of victory.
This must serve as a warning to Cork who could only manage a draw with Wexford in the same group, leaving Antrim joint top with them and looking forward to an intriguing clash with the Rebel camógs next Sunday for a place in an All-Ireland semi-final! Final score Waterford 1-3 Antrim 3-13
Manager Catherine O’Hara was very pleased with the Antrim performance.
“I thought the girls were wonderful today, and it was so good to see them play as a team and gratifying to be able to bring on five substitutes with no loss of quality,” said Catherine.
“I can’t wait for the Cork game next weekend!”
ANTRIM SQUAD: S Kane, A Laverty, E Elliot, B McCaughan, C Kearney 0-1, T Carson, T O'Neill, A Mulholland, K McLeod, N O'Neill 0-1, S Cosgrove 0-2, N Adams 0-2, C Dobbin 2-4, J McKeown 1-3, S Vaughan, K McKillop, C Higgins, E Costello , B Johnston, C McMullan, C McKillop, E McMillan, S McCloskey
