“
Loughgiel win five in a Row!
Loughgiel 6-4
Dunloy 4-6
The large crowd gathered at Fr Healey Park in Loughgiel were treated to one of the greatest games of camogie played this year. This nail-biting Championship final was played at terrific speed, with many of the game’s skills on display.
Dunloy opened the scoring with two well struck points before Loughgiel were able to break past the tight defending of Chloe Drain resulting in Rioghnach McNaughton raised the green flag for the Shamrocks. A pointed free from Laura Connolly put a two point gap between the teams before Dunloy launched a series of attacks.
With Melissa Smyth and Chloe Drain driving forward, the Shamrocks’ defence had to tighten up and, but for the heroic efforts of Eimear McGarry and Laura Connolly, the half time score-line could have been significantly different.
Half time score – Dunloy 1.4 Loughgiel 2.3
The second half began at blistering speed and goals were exchanged at either end. With both defences battling with determination, it was difficult for either team to raise a flag. Shari Carey was called upon on several occasions to keep the Dunloy attacks at bay. Eventually, the McNaughton sisters found the net and there was no looking back for the Shamrocks.
This was a match when neither team deserved to loose. It was a display of skill, determination and fair play. If these girls all continue to develop their skills, it won’t be long until the Saffron county achieve greater victories at senior level.
Dun Laithai: S McKendry, L Elliot, N Kearns, N Martin, C Drain, C Brogan, M Smyth, C McGuckian, C Quinn, D Quinn, N O’ Neill, A McPoland, E Gribben, N Patterson, C Martin, M McMahon, S Martin, L McKeague, N Cassidy, C Maguire, E Elliott, A Scott, R Kearns and D Elliott.
Loch gCaol: S Carey, R Higgins, N McGuckian, E McGuckian, E McGarry, L Connolly(0.2), A Boyle, M Lynn, S McCarry, N Dobbin, C McIntyre, R McNaughton (2.0), J Dickson (1.1), L McNaughton (2.1), C McCarry(1.0), C McCormick, J McKeown, E McMillan, S Devlin, N McCloskey, S McCloskey, C McFadden, L Christie, C Higgins.
Loughgiel 3-3
Dunloy 0-5
Loughgiel are Intermediate Champions after beating neighbours Dunloy in a closely contested final in Cloughmills on Sunday afternoon.
The first quarter of the match was dominated by the two sets of defences with Helena McGarry and Charlene O’ Kane leading the way for their respective teams. It took goals from Lynsey Higgins and Hannah Devlin to put Loughgiel into the lead at half-time.
The Second half began with Melissa Smyth and Lauren Elliot pushing forward at the Loughgiel defence. Try though they might, they couldn’t find their way to the net, Cathy McCarry coming to Loughgiel’s rescue on a number of occasions. When Hannah Devlin’s superb ground stroke rattled the net, the Shamrock supporters cheered their side to a superb victory and they now look forward to an
“
