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Derry’s experience is enough to defeat a valiant Antrim team!!

NWP Recycling Ulster Senior Camogie Championship Semi-Final

Antrim v Derry at Loughgiel

This semi-final had a strong touch of intrigue with current Derry Manager Joe Baldwin being the last man to lead Antrim to a senior Ulster Camogie title in 2011. Derry have held the Ulster title since 2012 and gone further than Antrim in All-Ireland terms, although both counties had a tough National League campaign with Derry finishing bottom of Division one and Antrim second bottom in Division two, but nonetheless this game turned out to be the battle that everyone expected from the throw-in with no quarter asked or given.

Antrim manager Paul Boyle expected his girls to take full advantage of the home venue in Loughgiel with no less than eight of his squad on their home pitch. Antrim started brightly with Shannon Graham making a couple of her mazy runs from midfield but Derry soon took command exhibiting quick thought and movement throughout the team and attacked Antrim with power and pace. Karen Kielt clipped over the first free of the game to open the scoring . Maria Mooney fired a nice point from play a few minutes later and although Antrim worked hard and matched Derry in midfield they lacked a cutting edge up front and all their efforts came to nothing as Derry built up a lead ,mostly from frees. By the 29th minute of the game when Antrim took their first score via an Emma McMullan 45, Karen Kielt had added four more points from frees and Mooney her second point from play. Antrim heads were slowly dropping as referee Julie O’Neill’s whistle heralded a halftime score of Antrim 0-01 Derry 0-07.

Derry opened the second half with a fine point created by a quick interchange of passes between Kielt, McAllister and scorer Cara Cassidy. Antrim came back, however, despite the seven point deficit and Emma McMullan converted two frees in quick succession for the home side. Sensing an Antrim rally, Derry manager Joe Baldwin brought on Bronagh Cassidy and Dervla O’Kane and the latter smashed home a goal from close range within five minutes. Karen Kielt then converted her sixth free of the game and substitute Mairead McNicholl took a fine point for Derry and the game appeared to be well beyond redemption for Antrim although two points from Emma McMullan and one from Nicole O’Neill gave a more respectable look to the final score line of Antrim 0-06 Derry 1-10.

Both managers were in philosophical mood following the game with Oak leaf boss Joe Baldwin the happier man, “I expected a hard game and we were prepared for Antrim to push us all the way” quipped the Kilkeel based coach, “but they never really got going and we had the experience and quality to take full advantage. l am looking forward to the final against Down and we will prepare well for that.” Paul Boyle in his first season as Antrim senior manager was positive in defeat. ” Derry were very good and deserved their win today” he admitted, “I have a new squad with quite a few younger players and they need more time to settle in and the All Ireland Championships in July and August will give us more time to work together as a team.”