Cavan Camogs were left disappointed after their two-point defeat to Antrim II on Saturday (20th May).
The Breffni women travelled to Moy for their Ulster intermediate final after their one-point win over Armagh. Hopes were high this was going to be their day, unfortunately it was the Saffron county who owned the first-half of this thriller.
Free-taker Clodagh Keenaghan got the opening score of this battle with a free in just the first minute. Antrim retaliated, getting a score on the board in quick reply.
Well worked points from sister’s Hannah and Shanise Fitzsimons were quickly answered by Antrim. A goal gave them a two-point lead with 10 minutes remaining of the first-half.
Antrim shot the following two scores of the game leaving Cavan under pressure at the break. Cavan were looking to make a bigger impact going into the second-half but Antrim opened the scoring with a point from play.
Cavan started to find their momentum in this half with precision free taker Keenaghan and Lacken’s Roisin O’Keeffe landing points.
For the Cavan fans they saw an exceptional display of skill from Laragh’s Clodagh Keenaghan. Keenaghan scoring two points from frees and one from play to put Cavan into the driving seat.
A well work goal from Sinead McKenna gave the fans something to get excited about, putting Cavan two points ahead with just 12 minutes remaining.
As Antrim forwards went in search of scores they applied the pressure thick and heavy to the Cavan defence. Scoring from a free and a 45 metre ball.
As time ran down, Clodagh Keenaghan got yet another score on the board and hoped that this would have been the winner of the day. However pressure from Antrim caused an upset and brought the game to extra-time.
Extra-time
Powerhouse Rosin O’Keeffe got Cavan off on the right foot. Finding the back of the net just seconds into the first-half of extra-time. Antrim replied to with a wonderful point from play.
The next moments were end-to-end battling with both sides getting scores. At the break of extra-time both sides were still on level scores.
Unfortunately for Cavan, Antrim outscored them three points to one, leaving the final score 2-12 to Antrim’s 2-14. Disappointment for the girls but what an entertaining battle all patrons got.
Cavan now travel to Wicklow on Saturday 27th for round one of the ‘Glen Dimplex’ Premier Junior All Ireland Championship. Time and Venue TBC.
