Antrim 3-10
Clare 1-11

by Daragh Ó Conchúir

Three first-half goals into the wind, capitalising on some shaky defensive play from Clare, laid the foundations as Antrim were able to keep their noses in front in the second half to win the Very Camogie League Division 1B title on the NGDC’s main pitch in Abbotstown.

Clare did manage to tighten up in the latter period but the damage had been done and with a two-point interval lead, Antrim were able to just keep the scoreboard ticking over to prevail by five.

Katie Molloy pointed after 19 seconds after going at the defence at her first opportunity. Caitrín Dobbin doubled the lead a minute later following a clever diagonal from Niamh McAtamney.

Clare’s first attack seconds later yielded a score from Caoimhe Carmody but a sixth minute goal from Dobbin put Antrim four ahead.

That was far too easy for John Carmody’s liking, as McAtamney’s long drive down the middle found open ground. Dobbin ran onto the sliotar, broke one despairing challenge and rifled low to the net, with Rachel Daly having no chance between the posts for Clare.

The Bannerwomen did respond well with a couple of scores. The second of those was the first of five pointed frees by Ziyan Spillane.

Ellen Casey bagged the other but must have been in disbelief that it wasn’t a goal, as she shot from point-blank range but Caitriona Graham advanced and threw herself bravely on the shot to deflect it over.

In contrast, Antrim were ruthless at the other end and Molloy blasted to the roof of the net at the beginning of the second quarter after a strong run by Dobbin, who supplied the perfect pass.

Caoimhe Cahill did grab a vital 18th minute goal for Clare, finishing after being put in space by Áine O’Loughlin, but following brilliant defensive work by Erin Coulter, Dobbin pounced on a mis-control by Rachel Daly to grab her second and Antrim’s third major in injury time.

It was 3-3 to 1-7 at the break and from there, it was all about game management, with Antrim having the elements in their favour.

Losing Dobbin to injury early on wasn’t a help, however. Meanwhile, Sinéad O’Keeffe and Jennifer Daly had a major impact off the bench for Clare and Niamh Mulqueen was like a magnet to the sliotar around the heart of the defence. With Spillane unerring from placed balls, the teams were level entering the final quarter.

But Antrim found another gear. Róisín McCormick, making her first start of the season after returning for a 20-minute cameo last weekend, took over the free-taking duties and converted a couple to go with a score from play.

Cassie McArthur also shot three points from play and sub Eavanne Martin slotted a beauty as the Saffrons edged away to secure Division 1A camogie in 2026.

SCORERS FOR ANTRIM: C Dobbin 2-1; K Molloy 1-1; C McArthur, R McCormick (2fs) 0-3 each; D Cosgrove (f), E Martin 0-1 each

SCORERS FOR CLARE: Z Spillane 0-5(fs); E Casey 1-1; C Carmody, A Anderson, J Daly, C Cahill, A Cooney 0-1 each

ANTRIM: C Graham, C McKillop, K Lynn, C McNaughton, E Coulter, S O’Neill, S Heggarty, A Boyle, N McAtamney, M Kelly, R McCormick, D Cosgrove, C McArthur, K Molloy, C Dobbin. Subs: L McNaughton for Dobbin (37), E Martin for Kelly (51), E Johnston for Cosgrove (57), J McIntosh for Heggarty (60+1)

CLARE: R Daly, S Daly, M Powell, C Queally, L Daly, A Walsh, C Hehir, N Mulqueen, G Carmody, A Anderson, C Carmody, Á O’Loughlin, C Cahill, E Casey, Z Spillane. Subs: J Daly for Powell (27), S O’Keeffe for Queally (HT), M Hanrahan for Walsh (HT); A Cooney for Casey (44), H M Neylon for C Carody (57)

REFEREE: Patrick Murphy (Carlow)

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