All-Ireland Minor B final in Páirc Esler Newry

Antrim 3-18 Down 5-3

Antrim gained revenge for last year’s one point defeat by Down with a power-packed opening half in yesterday’s All-Ireland Minor B final in Pairc Esler.

Three second half goals for the home side couldn’t reverse the damage done by the Saffrons during that opening 30 plus minutes when all six forwards and midfielder Shannon Graham contributed to a 3-12 to 2-0 interval lead.

Essentially the Antrim forwards provided more options for their half-back line than did Down, whose only threat came from Sara Louise Carr at full-forward.

The Clonduff teenager contributed 3 goals and tapped over a free, but she was too long frozen out of the game as Shannon Graham, Louise McAleese and Michaela Convery shut off the supply to her through midfield.

At the other end, Down chopped and changed their defence to cope with Antrim’s razor sharp attack with virtually each forward posing a threat. Laura Brennan eventually did well at full-back with Suzzelle Johnston catching the eye at centre-half, but the damage was done early in the game.

Surprisingly, in view of the way the game transpired, Down opened the scoring when Sara Louise Carr’s mishit free broke for Lisa McPolin to poke home from close range.

That lead was short-lived however as two goals inside 60 seconds from Racquel McCarry five minutes later put the Saffrons in command.

They had added six points – three from the hardworking Louise McAleese – before Cathy Carey re-acted quickest to a block-down by goalie Jordan Hynds to fire home a third Antrim goal and they led by a comfortable 15 points at the break despite a thundering left-hander from Sara Louise Carr in the 20th minute.

Down worked hard during the second half and a 39th minute goal from Carr reduced the deficit to 11 points. She completed her hat-trick in the 47th minute with a ground stroke to the corner of the net.

Antrim had further goal chances before Amy McCarthy finished the scoring with Down’s fifth goal.

Sadly, the five goals didn’t make much of an impression on the score-board and Antrim go forward to the All-Ireland A quarter-final next month where they will face either Galway or Clare. Their game in Newmarket on Fergus was postponed until August 25th because of a waterlogged pitch.

Antrim : Shaunie McAuley, Caitriona Hasson, Roisin O'Boyle, Brianna McDonnell capt., Sinéad Laverty, Emma Connolly, Sarah McNicholl, ClaireLaverty, Shannon Graham 0-3, Joanne Campbell 0-2, Micheala Convery 0-1, Racquel McCarry 2-4, 0-2 frees, Orla McCall 0-2, Louise McAleese 0-4, Cathy Carey 1-1.

Subs : Emma McMullan 0-1 for C Carey (37), Katie McAleese for O McCaul (51), Louise McKeown for C Laverty (60), Aileen Martin, Eleanor Mallon, Selena McKillen, Helen Wilson, Eimear Donaghy, Julie McFerran, Aine Connolly.

Down : Jordan Hynds, Laura Brennan, Suzelle Johnston, Stephanie O’Hare, Paula Gribbin, Carol-Anne Sloan, Joanne Fitzpatrick, Karen Tinnelly capt 0-1 free, Jenny Fowler, Nicola Braniff, Lisa McPolin 1-0, Lisa Hughes 0-1, Sabrina McCullough, Sarah Lousie Carr 3-1, 0-1 free, Nicola O’Hagan.

Subs : Niamh Mulhern for J Fitzpatrick (35), Amy McCarthy 1-0 for S McCullough (44), Megan O’Reilly for L Hughes (56), Colleen Fearon, Ciara Murphy, Claire Quinn, Sara Ann Smyth.

Referee : Julie O’Neill (Armagh).

The victorious Antrim Minor B camogie team