Intermediate Champions St Brigids Belfast

Congratulations to our Intermediate Champions St Brigids Belfast

Thank you to Seamus McAleenan for the match report & to Dylan McIlwaine for photos!

Antrim LGFA Intermediate final :
Naomh Bríd 6-16 Con Magee's 2-4

PLENTY of scores, plenty of goalmouth action, three penalties in the first quarter, but in the end St Bridget's had far too much scoring power for Con Magee's Glenravel who shot 11 wides during the second half of this Intermediate final at Dunsilly.

However such was St Bridget's control over the game at half time that there was little danger that they would let this game slip from their grasp after a hard fought semi-final that went to extra time.

Molly Woulahan caused them some early problems especially when her teammates played direct football into her on the edge of the square. She was responsible for winning the two Glenravel penalties before the water break.
However once St Bridget's employed a sweeper in front of her, Woulahan's impact lessened. Indeed Glenravel's problems were at the other end where the Belfast side pressed high on their kick-outs and four of their first five points came from that tactic.

St Bridget's also had a number of forwards very comfortable in possession, able to draw the marker and create space; Laura Agnew, Theresa Mellon, Aileen McDonnell and Abigail Carlton all caused big problems over the hour.

It was 0-5 to 0-2 after just seven minutes with Agnew taking three of those scores. Orla Donnelly made a good save from Carleton after 11 minutes and forced Julie Curran to hit a penalty wide a minute later.

Within two minutes Glenravel had two penalties of their own. Clodagh McPeake placed the first one in the top left corner, but opted to go the other side with the second kick and Curran turned it on to the bar before clearing.

In between the two spot kicks, St Bridget's broke and Aileen McDonnell grabbed their opening goal.

The game changed dramatically after the water break with goals from Threasa Mellon and Abigail Carleton stretching the winners' lead to 3-7 to 1-2. Both goals were beautifully created by their running game and there would be no way back for Glenravel.

By half-time it was 3-9 to 1-3 and Con Magee's didn't raise another flag until the last five minutes. They did have plenty of chances, from play and from close frees, but they had lost their early confidence.

Not so for the Belfast side with two goals inside a minute early in the second half from Carleton and McDonnell hammering more nails into the coffin.

Mary Mitchell scored a sixth goal ten minutes from time and there was a point for sub Eimhear Currie with her first touch before All Ireland camogie winner Laoise McKenna finally got through for a late consolation goal.

Naomh Bríd: J Curran, E Boyce, K Ward, A Carson, S McGarvey, M Blaney, C Leonard, E Ferran, C Austin 0-3, M Mitchell 1-0, T Mellon 1-2, L Agnew 0-5, 1 free, A Carleton capt 2-4, 0-1 free, F OMalley, A McDonnell 2-2.

Subs : O McKernan for E Boyce (52), C McKendry for K Ward (52), N Dunford for F OMalley (53), E Currie 0-1 for M Mitchell (54), O Lynch for L Agnew (55).

Con Magee's : O Donnelly, E McAleenan, M McKenna, S Brown, B Laverty, C McNeill, M Mulholland, C Emerson, E Hynds 0-1, L McKenna 1-0, K Laverty capt, A Donnelly, A Mulholland, M Woulahan, C McPeake 1-3, 1-0 pen, 0-3 frees.

Sub: N McKay for A Donnelly (44).

Referee: Barry Hotchkiss.