Home » A late Dobbin point steals victory for Loughgiel

A late Dobbin point steals victory for Loughgiel

AIB Ulster Camogie Junior Club Championship Final

Loughgiel 1-08 Lacken 2-04

Referee: EP Cassidy

Going into this final Lacken would have been slight favourites as reigning champions but its not very often you could write-off any Loughgiel team. From the throw-in Loughgiel looked sharp and, like Cargin beforehand, had a goal and a point on the scoreboard before Lacken had got into second gear, Hannah Devlin in corner forward getting the goal, Loughgiel then added another point and it was Loughgiel 1-02 Lacken 0-00 and almost deja vu from the Bridie McMenamin Shield but the similarities quickly subsided as Roisin O’Keefe, in corner forward, hit the net for Lacken and now the game came alive.

Chloe Higgins rises to catch the sloitar

Lacken now had the upper hand with O’Keefe causing all sorts of problems for the Loughgiel defence and Katie McKillop in corner back had her hands full. Lacken worked hard to get a point on the scoreboard and now it was Loughgiel 1-02 Lacken 1-01. A fantastic turn around by the Cavan outfit and they were determined to retain the Junior crown and have a second bite at the AIB All Ireland Club Championship but it was only early in the game.

Roisin O’Keefe embarks on another powerful run

Again O’Keefe was torturing the Loughgiel defence and was she was the architect of a second Lacken goal which was soon followed by a point. Lacken had scored 2-02 without response from Loughgiel as, I’m sure, panic stations were setting in along the Loughgiel line. With the score Lacken 2-02 Loughgiel 1-02 the sliotar moved between the two 45’s with neither team creating any chances before exchanging scores just before half-time to leave the score at the break Lacken 2-03 Loughgiel 1-03.

Shona King on the run

Similar to the first half, it was Loughgiel who started strongest, the Antrim girls were playing downhill and hit three points in a row with Full-Back Chloe Higgins striking frees from distance and substitute Kirsty McKendry hitting the target. It was now Loughgiel 1-06 Lacken 2-03 with all to play for. Lacken moved Roisin O’Keefe into the half-back line to withstand pressure from Loughgiel along with joint Captain’s Aoife Brady and Miranda McIntyre but similar to the first half both teams were failing to create any chances as the majority of play was between the two half-back lines. For Lacken Rosie Crowe and Eimear Brady worked hard in midfield while Maria Lynn and Eimear McGarry were excellent for Loughgiel. as was Katie McKillop who had followed O’Keefe out the field. Lacken missed the creativity of Roisin O’Keefe in attack but she was faultless in defence.

Roisin O’Keefe rises to pluck the ball out of the air

As the game got into the final 10 minutes there was nothing to separate the teams but Lacken were yet to score in the second half. It was clear that both teams were beginning to tire as a few careless free’s were given away and a couple of points could easily have won the game. It was Lacken who hit first to take the lead, Lacken 2-04 Loughgiel 1-06 but again Loughgiel hit back, perhaps the game had a draw written all over it, especially as both teams had worked so hard and it would have been unjust for anyone to lose.

Lacken corner-forward Fiona Brady on the attack

As the score sat at Lacken 2-04 Loughgiel 1-07 going into injury time it was difficult to predict who could strike next. Loughgiel dropped a high ball into the Lacken square only for it to be blocked back out and then Lacken managed to get the sliotar cleared to the wing along the ground but only to find Loughgiel half forward Ciara Dobbin standing free. Dobbin quickly flicked the sliotar up into her hand before calmly slotting it over the bar, Loughgiel had the lead with little time to go. In the dying seconds Lacken pucked the ball into midfield before getting it into the Loughgiel full back line but only as far as Chloe Higgins who quickly got it clear and that was it, it was all over. Loughgiel took the game by a point. Perhaps unjust as both teams had played so well but unfortunately that’s Championship Camogie and it was Loughgiel who took the title and a double for Antrim on the day.

Final Score: Loughgiel 1-08 Lacken 2-04