Sweet 16s make All Ireland Final
28th June 2024
Antrim’s u16 girls have made it to a second All Ireland final in a row after a determined and disciplined display against a strong Offaly team.
In tough conditions the Antrim girls started well with good possession but not enough scores in a period of early dominance. Indeed the free taking of Erin Stewart and an opportunist goal by Ruby McErlain gave the young Saffs a platform to build on.
In a stop-start first half, the Ulster champions were unable to display the free flowing football that they have prided themselves on this season and a determined finish to the half by the Leinster girls meant that the young Saffs led 1-5 to 0-6 at the half.
Antrim freshened it up at halftime replacing goal scorer McErlain and the hardworking Jojo Darragh with the Ardoyne duo of Evie McAllister and Aideen McDonell.
A period of careless play by Antrim made for a tense encounter in what were becoming more difficult conditions.
Resolute defending by Antrim kept Offaly to single point throughout the half and a fine save by Orlaith Lynch after a defensive mix up seemed to free up Antrim as they pressed home their advantage.
The excellent leadership of Seana Bradley and Aoife Fitzsimons allowed Antrim to progress. Defending of the highest quality from Aoife Mitchell Sally Scullion Lila McCann Siobhan McGurk and Amelie Annett proved too much for the Leinster forwards. Anna Rice and Laura Scullion worked incessantly at midfield and pushed Antrim on while the forwards continued to run at the Offaly defence to gather scores. The free taking of Stewart and the brave running of Aoibhean Monaghan and Chloe Boyd Munce made sure that Antrim can look forward to a final against Limerick on July 13th.
Antrim scores E Stewart 0-8 R McErlain 1-0 A Fitzsimons 0-1 A Monaghan 0-1 A McDonnell 0-1.
