Limerick suffer opening day defeat in All-Ireland senior camogie championship

LIMERICK'S strong second half rally proved in vain as the Shannonsiders suffered a 1-15 to 0-14 defeat to Antrim in their Glen Dimplex All-Ireland senior camogie championship opening round game at Dunloy on Saturday.

The Saffrons had beaten last year’s All-Ireland quarter- finalists, Limerick, when travelling to Rathkeale during the League and repeated that on home territory, but were made to sweat, having led by 1-8 to 0-4 at the interval.

A Siobhán McKillop goal, allied with some good finishing by Caitrin Dobbin and Katie McKillop put Antrim in a strong position and though Amy Boyle stretched the advantage to eight points soon after the resumption.

However, Limerick showed their bottle with six of the next seven points to close the deficit to just two points, 1-12 to 0-13, with still six minutes of normal time remaining.

However, Antrim's Róisín McCormick then made a big contribution to halt the momentum, converting a free from distance into the wind and with Áine Magill also finding the target, they managed to chisel out a four-point success.

Limerick are in a group alongside Waterford and Offaly as well as Antrim in. Limerick played all three in the Very Camogie League earlier this year with differing results.

LIMERICK: Laura O'Neill (Na Piarsaigh); Teresa Dore (Charleville), Muireann Creamer (Cappamore), Marian Quaid (Bruff); Stephanie Woulfe (Templeglantine), Mary O'Callaghan (Bruff), Mairead Ryan (Bruff); Ailbhe Larkin (Mungret St Pauls), Sophie O'Callaghan (Adare); Orlaith Kelleher (Croagh-Kilfinny), Caoimhe Costelloe (Adare), Aine Reynolds (Ahane); Sarah O'Brien (Templeglantine), Laura Fennelly (Cappamore), Claire Keating (Cappamore). SUBS: Ciara Mulqueen (Crecora), Aoife Nelligan (Monaleen), Áine O Tiarnaigh (Na Piarsaigh), Amy Mullins (Adaer), Cliodhna Ryan (Doon), Ciara O'Riordan (Blackrock-Effin), Olivia Kerins (Mungret St Pauls), Éle Madigan (Ahane).