League final in sight as Déise dismiss Antrim
Waterford's Beth Carton gets away from the intentions of a number of Antrim players including Maeve Kelly and Amy Boyle during their Centra National Camogie League Division 1A clash at All Saints', Ballymena on Saturday last. Photos: Paul McIlwaine Photography
A bizarre first-half goal from Lorraine Bray saw Waterford collect their third straight league win at a blustery Ballymena on Saturday afternoon. Victory over Kilkenny this weekend will send Mick Boland’s side through to the Division 1A final.
Antrim goalkeeper Caitriona Graham appeared to bat away Bray’s sixth-minute point attempt to safety, but the umpires deemed that the sliotar had crossed the line and the green flag was waved. No Déise player appealed for the goal, but the score stood, and it put the table toppers in pole position against the wind.
Antrim’s shock win against Cork meant that Waterford couldn’t take this game lightly. Abby Flynn didn’t take the field for the visitors after she limped off against Galway the week before. Number six, Laoise Forrest, was named Player of the Match. What a boost to have the Gailltir star back on board.
Niamh Rockett struck six points (three from play) while Lorraine Bray came up with 1-2, including that controversial goal, and ran hard at the Antrim backs throughout. Eimear O’Neill and Keeley Corbett Barry also carried plenty of ball. Second-half subs Roisin Kirwan and Sarah Lacey made a difference on their arrival.
It was a strange day all round as Amhrán na bhFiann wasn’t played due to technical difficulties at the All Saints club grounds. As the players stood to the attention, a few seconds of country music could be heard over the speakers!
Waterford worked the ball through the lines against the elements in the first half and led by six points at the break. Déise goalkeeper Brianna O’Regan made a close-range save from Janey McIntosh before Niamh Rockett got Waterford’s opening point at the opposite end. Then came that most unusual three-pointer from Lorraine Bray. Did it cross the line?
Mairéad O’Brien was denied a further green flag, but points from Beth Carton, Rockett and Laoise Forrest established a seven-point cushion by the 19th minute (1-4 to 0-0). Nicole McAtamney finally got the scoreboard moving for Antrim on 21 minutes with a wind-assisted free. Two more followed.
Both sides squandered glorious goal chances approaching half time. Carton slipped in Maggie Gostl, but she missed the target with only the goalkeeper to beat. Cliona Griffin was then caught high by O’Regan, and Gavin Donegan signalled an Antrim penalty. McAtamney’s effort flew over the crossbar. Entering injury time, Griffin shot left and wide with the goal at her mercy. Gostl had another sight at goal but Niamh Cosgrove blocked on the line. Points from Bray and Rocket still left Waterford 1-7 to 0-4 ahead at the interval.
Five points was as close as Antrim got in the second period. Saffron netminder Caitriona Graham saved brilliantly from Carton when her shot seemed destined for the top corner. The away team continued to run the ball as Keeley Corbett Barry, Eimear O’Neill and Rockett raised white flags. Antrim’s first point from play arrived in the 44th minute via Lucia McNaughton.
The Déise subs made a big impression on the last quarter. Sarah Lacey, with her first touch, assisted O’Neill’s second point of the afternoon. Roisin Kirwan struck two points on her introduction and also won a free which Rockett converted. Lorraine Bray popped over point and supplied another for Carton. Rockett saw a late goal chance smothered by Graham but another away win was in the bag by that stage.
Niamh Rockett 0-6 (2fs, 1 45), Lorraine Bray 1-2, Roisin Kirwan, Beth Carton, Eimear O’Neill 0-2 each, Keeley Corbett Barry, Laoise Forrest 0-1 each.
Nicole McAtamney 0-7 (6fs, 1 pen), Eobha McAlllister (1f), Lucia McNaughton 0-1 each.
Brianna O’Regan; Iona Heffernan, Clodagh Carroll, Alannah McNulty; Rachael Walsh, Laoise Forrest, Orla Hickey; Keeley Corbett Barry, Eimear O’Neill; Lorraine Bray, Beth Carton, Bevin Bowdren; Niamh Rockett, Mairéad O’Brien, Maggie Gostl.
Alannah O'Sullivan for Bowdren (HT), Roisin Kirwan for O'Brien (38), Sarah Lacey for Gostl (45), Ciara Sherlock for O’Neill (54), Rebecca Farrell for Carton (58).
Caitriona Graham; Colleen Patterson, Niamh Cosgrove, Dearbhail Dobbin; Clare McKillop, Katie Molloy, Shannagh Heggarty; Amy Boyle, Eobha McAllister; Maeve Kelly, Lucia McNaughton, Nicole McAtamney; Aimee Ferris, Janey McIntosh, Cliona Griffin.
Roisin McCormick for Ferris (HT), Katie McKillop for Griffin (HT), Sarah O’Neill for McIntosh (50), Caoimhe Conlon for Dobbin (53), Orlaith McAllister for McAtamney (53), Aisling O’Donnell for Heggarty (58).
Gavin Donegan (Dublin)
