Offaly hold on to book Croke Park place with heart stopping victory over Antrim
Offaly through to All-Ireland Final after terrific one point victory
Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship Semi-Final
OFFALY 1-16
ANTRIM 2-12
OFFALY camogie team are heading to Croke Park for the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Final after a heart stopping one point victory over Antrim in the semi-final played at Cedral St Conleth's Park in Newbridge on Saturday.
Offaly had to dig in at the death to hold off a late Antrim rally but they defended heroically and when the final whistle sounded deep into the fifth minute of injury time there was a mixture of joy and relief that they had booked their place in the Croke Park showdown on Sunday August 10th.
These were two evenly matched sides but over the hour Offaly jusst about edged things and deservedly claimed their place in the final. They fought valiantly for everything and even when under pressure in the closing stages, never panicked and did just enough to hold on to claim the win by the narrowest of margins.
It was a cagey enough start with the sides sharing six points in the first 13 minutes, although Offaly probably had the better of the play up to that stage. Then Antrim struck for a goal and looked set to take charge but Offaly responded very well to level again. Antrim were two clear five minutes before half time but Offaly finished the half well with four points in a row to go in leading by 0-10 to 1-5 at half time.
The sides shared points in the first four minutes of the second half but then Offaly took a grip on the game with 1-2 without reply to push them seven points clear seven minutes into the second half. Antrim weren't going to give up and they hit back with 1-2 of their own and the game was back in the melting pot heading into the final quarter. Scores were scarce at that stage but Offaly were three clear with six minutes to go. Antrim pushed hard but could only manage two points over the next 10 minutes of normal and injury time and Offaly held on to win by a point.
Antrim went into the game as slight favourites. They had beaten Offaly earlier in the group game by two points in Portglenone and they had won all nine competitive matches they had played in league and championship in 2025. They played at a higher division than Offaly in the league and won that so that favouritism was justified.
However Offaly paid no heed to that. They had first use of the breeze and they got stuck into the game from the start. They enjoyed the majority of the territory in those early stages but probably didn't make that count on the scoreboard. Antrim showed how dangerous they were when they did attack and Roisin McCormick in particular was causing Offaly problems. They converted more of their possession into scores and when they got their goal midway through the first half seemed to be in prime position.
The way Offaly responded to any setbacks was one of the most admirable aspects of their display. They hit back to level after conceding that goal and when Antrim went two up again, they responded with four points in a row to lead at half time.
Again after Antrim scored their second goal Offaly had the next few attacks and missed a couple of scores but that didn't deter them and they stuck to their task. Antrim slowly picked of scores and were always a threat close to goals but towards the end Offaly got the stick in or put their bodies on the line to keep them out and even into the final seconds when Antrim looked like they had a chance to level, Offaly defended brilliantly to keep them out and earn their place in the All-Ireland Final.
Goalkeeper Emer Reynolds made a couple of terrific saves and her long puck outs were very effective in the first half. Sharon Shanahan, Roisin Kinsella and Orlagh Phelan defended heroically in defence and Christine Cleary and Clodagh Leahy both did well at midfield, both contributing important points from play. In attack Mairead Teehan got the vital goal and was always a threat while Fianait Dooley and Grace Teehan also made vital contributions.
Caitriona Graham made a couple of vital saves for Antrim, with Caoimhe McNaughton, Katie Lynn and Sarah O'Neill doing well in defence. Nicole McAtamney had a good hour in the middle of the field while Roisin McCormick was the biggest threat in attack where Caitrin Dobbin and Katie Molloy also did well.
Offaly were quickest to settle but had an early wide and another effort from Faye Mulrooney bounced off the crossbar. Then in the third minute Mairead Teehan was held and Offaly were awarded a penalty which Clodagh Leahy drilled over the crossbar.
Antrim's first real foray into Offaly territory didn't come until the eighth minute and they won a free which Roisin McCormick pointed. Clodagh Leahy replied with the first score from play before McCormick pointed a second Antrim free. She had a chance to put them ahead from a 25m free but went low and her effort was saved by the Offaly defenders. Offaly moved the ball upfield and Mairead Teehan slotted over another point.
Roisin McCormick levelled from another free before Antrim struck for a goal. Roisin McCormick put Annie Lynn away and she picked out Caitrin Dobbin free in front of the goals. Her effort was brilliantly saved by Emer Reynolds and in the scramble that followed Dobbin forced the ball over the line.
Offaly responded well to that setback and Fianait Dooley came back with a point midway through the half. Grace Teehan took over the freetaking duties after Clodagh Leahy missed a couple of earlier efforts and she levelled the game with two in succession by the 20th minute. Nicole McAtamney hit Antrim's first point from play after 21 minutes and Offaly had a great goal chance when Mairead Teehan cut through but Caitriona Graham made a great save. At the other end Antrim had a chance themselves but Roisin McCormick's effort was well saved by Emer Reynolds.
Roisin McCormick put Antrim two ahead from a free but Grace Teehan and Clodagh Leahy pointed frees to level matters and in first half injury time Christine Cleary and Grace Teehan both sent over points to give Offaly a 0-10 to 1-5 half time lead.
Just 24 seconds into the second half Offaly stretched their lead when Ciara Maher pointed but Shannagh Heggarty responded for Antrim. Fianait Dooley and Roisin McCormick exchanged further efforts from play and the gap was still two points.
Grace Teehan pointed an Offaly free and then a long ball in was won by Mairead Teehan, who cut back inside and drilled her shot to the net to put Offaly six clear. Clodagh Leahy added a further point and Offaly were seven ahead after 37 minutes.
Antrim got back into the contest 11 minutes into the half with their second goal. Katie Molloy set Roisin McCormick through and she sent a low ball to the corner of the net. Offaly had a couple of good chances to hit back but had two wides from good positions and then Caitrin Dobbin and Roisin McCormick (free) pointed to cut the lead back to two points heading into the final quarter.
Offaly had gone 13 minutes without a score before Grace Teehan pointed a free and after Erin Coulter replied for Antrim, Mairead Teehan won the puck out and made room and shot another Offaly point.
Antrim began to really apply the pressure and Roisin McCormick cut through again but fired her shot badly wide. She then dropped a free short insread of taking a point before she did pop one over a minute into injury time. Caitrin Dobbin added another and the gap was down to a point with just under two minutes of injury time left. Antrim had the momentum but Offaly stood firm and denied them another chance and held on to claim their place in the final.
MATCH ANALYSIS
THE TEAMS
OFFALY: Emer Reynolds (Shinrone); Megan King (St Cillian's), Amy Byrne (Shinrone), Sharon Shanahan (Shinrone); Kaithlyn Kennedy (Drumcullen), Roisin Kinsella (Birr), Orlagh Phelan (Naomh Brid); Christine Cleary (Shinrone), Clodagh Leahy (Drumcullen); Mairead Teehan (Moneygall), Ciara Maher (Moneygall), Grace Teehan (Naomh Brid); Kate Pilkington (Birr), Fianait Dooley (Drumcullen); Faye Mulrooney (Birr). Subs.Ellen Regan (Birr) (for Kate Pilkington, 38 mins), Aoife Liffey (Shinrone) (for Megan King, 46 mins), Cathy Fogarty (St Cillian's) (for Kaithlyn Kennedy, 50 mins), Caoimhe O'Donovan (St Cillian's) (for Faye Mulrooney, 56 mins)
ANTRIM: Caitriona Graham; Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton; Janey McIntosh, Sarah O'Neill, Shannagh Heggarty; Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney; Maeve Kelly, Katie Molloy, Lucia McNaughton; Annie Lynn, Roisin McCormick, Catrin Dobbin. Subs. Dervla Cosgrove (for Lucia McNaughton, 39 mins), Eimear Johnston (for Annie Lynn, 39 mins), Erin Coulter (for Shannagh Heggarty, 44 mins).
REFEREE: Joe Mullins (Clare)
PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Offaly's Mairead Teehan made the most decisive contributions in this game. She won the high ball that came in for Offaly's goal and made ground and space before shooting to the net. Later she did all the work again to fire over what proved to be the winning point and overall her workrate was excellent. She was denied another goal by a great save and was also fouled for Offaly's penalty. Antrim's Roisin McCormick was their outstanding player and deserves mention.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Mairead Teehan's goal was probably the most important moment of the day. It gave Offaly breathing space while playing against the wind and while Antrim did fight back Offaly had enough of a lead to withstand that rally and the Moneygall star's goal was an important factor in that.
REFEREE WATCH
Overall Joe Mullins did a good job. He was very hot on overcarrying at one stage in the first half and awarded four frees in quick succession for that offence. There were a few debateable decisions on both sides and he penalised Grace Teehan for a throw late in the game when it looked one of the cleanest handpasses of the game.
WHAT’S NEXT
Offaly advance to the All-Ireland intermediate camogie final which is part of a triple header at Croke Park on Sunday August 10th where they will face Down or Kerry while for Antrim it's the end of the inter county season for 2025.
VENUE WATCH
On a sweltering day, Cedral St Conleth's Park looked in excellent condition for this double header of semi-finals. The pitch was firm and the ball bounced and ran well off it. Everything else was in good order for the day.
STATISTICS
Wides; Offaly 7 (4 in first half) Antrim 4 (1 in first half)
Yellow Cards: Offaly 1 (Amy Byrne) Antrim 2 (Sarah O'Neill, Nicole McAtamney)
Red Cards: None
THE SCORERS
Offaly; Grace Teehan (0-6, 0-5 frees), Mairead Teehan (1-2), Clodagh Leahy (0-4, 0-1 penalty, 0-1 free), Fianait Dooley (0-2), Christine Cleary, Ciara Maher (0-1 each).
Antrim; Roisin McCormick (1-7, 0-6 frees), Caitrin Dobbin (1-2), Nicole McAtamney, Shannagh Heggarty, Erin Coulter (0-1 each).