Limerick suffer home defeat to Antrim in Very National Camogie League

A YOUTHFUL Limerick side fell to a 2-10 to 0-7 defeat to a resolute Antrim outfit in their Division 1B Very National Camogie League second round fixture at a sunny Ballyagran on Saturday afternoon.

The winners may have been flattered by the nine point margin of their victory, but there was no doubting Antrim's superiority in this game.

An industrious Limerick side, who had defeated Down in their opening fixture, trailed wind-assisted Antrim 0-2 to 1-7 at half-time in their second league outing of the season.

The Shannonsiders did rally in the third quarter to reduce the margin to five points, 0-6 to 1-8. However, a second Antrim goal in the 50th minute sealed victory for the Ulster side.

The playing pitch at Ballyagran was remarkably dry given the amount of rain that fell in the few days leading up to the fixture.

However, the playing surface was understandably sticky given the time of year, with the sliotar holding up in the breezy conditions.

Visitors Antrim, who had defeated Wexford by a single point in their opening fixture, got off to the ideal start when pouncing for the first of their two goals as early as the second minute with the impressive Eavanne Martin creating the opening for corner forward Caitrin Dobbin to flash the ball to the net.

Limerick responded with a fine point from corner forward Donna Kenny before the visitors increased their advantage with a run of four points without reply to lead 1-4 to 0-1 after 20 minutes.

There was plenty to admire in Limerick's approach play in the opening half, but on a number of occasions attempts for scores ended up falling short into the clutches of the grateful Antrim 'keeper Catriona Graham. 

Limerick registered their first score for 15 minutes through the lively Laura Southern in the 21st minute. However, a run of three points within reply from Martin, two frees, and Dobbin had Antrim in control once again.

The match referee was unmoved after appeals from the Limerick management team that there had been a push on a Limerick defender in the lead up to the Dobbin score.

Trailing by eight points at the break, Limerick, who were backed up the breeze in the second half, needed a quick start on the resumption in play.

However, it was Antrim who recorded the first score after the re-start through the excellent Martin.

Limerick sprung substitute Sophie O'Callaghan from the bench at half-time, while Poppy Giltenane and Ciara Neenan joined the contest early in the third quarter.

Their arrival onto the pitch co-incided with Limerick's best spell of the game. Two points from captain Caoimhe Costello, one from a free, as well as scores from Kenny and O'Callaghan, reduced the Antrim advantage to a more manageable five points after 44 minutes. 

However, Antrim, who boasted an assured touch in possession and very impressive work-rate all through, regained the initiative, racking up 1-2 without reply. Martin sparked the improvement in the Ulster side's play with a further point from play while Caitrin Dobbin benefitted from some excellent play from the wing forward to finish her second goal of the game.

Limerick goalkeeper Sarah Gillane produced an excellent save to prevent Antrim's Katie Molloy adding a third goal for the visitors from a penalty award in the 53rd minute.

Substitute Eimear Johnston did point for the Saffrons in the 56th minute to complete their scoring. The final score of the game then fell to Limerick's Orlaith Kelliher in added time. 

Next up for the Joe Quaid-managed Limerick side in Division 1B is a round three trip to Wexford on Saturday, next March 1. 

SCORERS: Limerick: Donna Kenny 0-2, Caoimhe Costelloe 0-2 (0-1 free), Orlaith Kelliher, Laura Southern, Sophie O'Callaghan 0-1 each. Antrim: Caitrin Dobbin 2-1, Eavanne Martin 0-6 (0-3 frees), Nicole McAtamney 0-2 (both frees).

LIMERICK: Sarah Gillane (Patrickswell), Aoife Nelligan (Monaleen), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Aine Foley (Bruff); Shauna Cunningham (Killeedy), Emily O'Halloran (Monaleen), Teresa Dore (Patrickswell); Mairead Ryan (Bruff), Ailbhe Larkin (Mungret St Paul's) (Vice-Captain); Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare) (Captain), Lizanna Boylan (Na Piarsaigh), Stephanie Woulfe (Templeglantine); Donna Kenny (Croagh-Kilfinny), Orlaith Kelliher (Croagh-Kilfinny), Laura Southern (Monaleen). SUBS: Sophie O'Callaghan (Adare) for Nelligan (half-time), Ciara Neenan (Bruff) for Cunningham (36 mins), Poppy Giltenane (Adare) for Boylan (38 mins).

ANTRIM: Catriona Graham; Claire McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Erin Coulter, Sarah O'Neill, Shannagh Hegarty; Amy Boyle (Capt), Nicole McAtamney; Janey McIntosh, Lucia McNaughton, Eavanne Martin; Orlaith McAllister, Katie Molloy, Caitrin Dobbin. SUBS: Annie Lynn for McAllister (36 mins), Eimear Johnston for Coulter (45 mins), Aisling O'Donnell for McNaughton (50 mins), Dearbhail Dobbin for McKillop (54 mins), Katie Rose Bell for Nicole McAtamney (56 mins).

REFEREE: Brian Kearney