Battling display by Offaly but Antrim hold on for the win

ANTRIM 3-16

OFFALY 1-12

OFFALY produced a battling performance in their second round game in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior Camogie championship at Roger Casements Portglenone on Saturday last but Antrim held on in the end for the win which puts them through to the All-Ireland quarter finals.

Offaly made the home side work hard for their victory, particularly in the first half, but in the end had to succumb to the sharper side, who registered their second victory of the campaign.

Having suffered a defeat to Waterford in their opening game Offaly had to pick themselves up for this encounter and they did that admirably and made a good fight of it. They matched the home side for most of the first half before late scores gave Antrim a 2-10 to 1-7 half time lead. Offaly stuck to their task in the second half but were unable to reel in the winners, with a late goal putting a gloss on the victory for Antrim, who now progress to the knock out stages.

Following this defeat Offaly can't make the knock out stages and with two victories each, Waterford and Antrim have already secured the two berths available from this group. Offaly face Limerick on Saturday week in their final group game and the Treaty side have also lost to both Antrim and Waterford. That game will decide who avoids being involved in the relegation scrap and having been beaten by Limerick in the deciding game in the league relegation battle, Offaly will be very keen to make amends on this occasion to maintain their status in the senior ranks.

The first half of this game was a bit of a see-saw contest with both sides enjoying periods of dominance. The second half was more evenly balanced but scores were harder to come by and the sides had shared eight points before Antrim finished in style with their third goal which sealed a place in the knock out stages of the senior championship for the first time since 1982.

Offaly will take some encouragement from their performance. Their opening game against Waterford had been a tough day out but they picked themselves up well and if they can pick up on the positives from this performance, they can take the game to Limerick in the final round, which crucially is a home game for Offaly, and finish their season on a high note.

Caitrin Dobbin opened the scoring in this game for Antrim but Offaly started brightly and they hit back with the next four points, two from Rachel Brennan and one each from Becky Bryant and Sarah Harding to leave to 0-4 to 0-1 in front after six minutes.

Offaly were punished for giving away frees and Roisin McCormick pointed three in succession to bring the sides level and the Loughgiel forward then set up the opening goal for her club mate Aine Magill with a clever pass which put the corner forward through and she finished to the net. Antrim were on top at this stage and two more points from Roisin McCormick and one from Aine Magill put them six points ahead early in the second quarter.

To their credit Offaly stemmed the tide and fought back well. Becky Bryant pointed two frees and Rachel Brennan added another point to halve the lead and then Lisa Gorman got through for a goal which levelled the sides at 1-7 each after 22 minutes.

Things swung Antrim's away again in the closing minutes of the half. Four minutes after Offaly's goal Caitrin Dobbin raised a green flag for Antrim and she and Roisin McCormick along with midfielder Amy Boyle added points to give the home side a 2-10 to 1-7 half time lead.

Scores didn't flow as freely after the break. Antrim pushed eight points up ten minutes in the second half but Offaly kept them within their sights, as they held Antrim scoreless for the next 20 minutes while cutting the lead back to five at one stage. The sides had scored four points each in the half as the game entered injury time when Roisin McCormick picked off another point.

Then she was on the end of a lovely pass from Caitrin Dobbin to shoot to the Offaly net and although Becky Bryant did pull another back for Offaly, Roisin McCormick concluded the scoring with a point from a '45' to leave the home side victors by a 10 point margin, which was probably a little flattering on the day.

Offaly's attentions will now turn to that contest with Limerick and hope that they can get the win that will finish third in the group and avoid a relegation battle.

ANTRIM: Caitriona Graham; Colleen Patterson, Katie Laverty, Maria Lynn; Niamh Cosgrove, Caoimhe Conlon, Laoise McKenna; Amy Boyle, Anna Connolly; Siobhan McKillop, Mary McKillen, Katie McKillop; Áine Magill, Roisin McCormick, Caitrin Dobbin. Subs: Megan McGarry (for Collen Patterson, 50 mins), Enya McShane (for Maria Lynn, 50 mins), Fionnula Kelly (for Siobhan McKillop, 51 mins).

OFFALY: Leah Gallagher (Tullamore); Louise Mannion (St Rynagh's), Alana Roddy (Birr), Orla Gorman (Tullamore); Sarah Walsh (Tullamore), Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Brid), Aoife Liffey (Shinrone); Grainne Dolan (St Rynagh's), Sinead Moore (Kilcormac/Killoughey); Becky Bryant (Tullamore), Rachel Brennan (St Cillian's), Labhaoise Glynn (Lusmagh); Lisa Gorman (Tullamore), Sarah Harding (St Rynagh's), Clodagh Leahy (Drumcullen). Subs. Aisling Feeney (Tullamore) (for Sinead Moore, 32 mins), Ciara Maher (Moneygall) (for Lisa Gorman, 42 mins), Aoife O’Donovan (for Labhaoise Glynn, 49 mins).

REFEREE: Philip McDonald (Cavan).