Tyrone Senior Camogie Side Defeats Antrim In Littlewoods League Clash

Saturday 15.05.2021

Great Win For Senior Camogs

Tyrone’s senior camogie side defeated Antrim 1-11 to 0-13 in their National League meeting at Pairc Eire Og on Saturday after a real battle between the two sides on a very well appointed playing surface.

Antrim began well with early scores from Riana Mc Bride (2) and Maria Bakewell while a Cara little point boosted Tyrone’s confidence and helped settle early nerves. 

Midway through the first half Tyrone enjoyed a real purple patch with four wind assisted scores in a row to put them in front for the first time. Cara Little, Reagan Fay and half backs Grainne Rafferty and Ciara Mc Gready were the players on target for the Red Hands. 

Rafferty and Mc Gready were outstanding for their team throughout and their intense workrate and skill forced numerous turnovers during the course of the game.

Antrim’s response was a solitary score from the stick of Lauren Barry which sent the teams off at the break with Tyrone leading 0-5 to 0-4. 

Facing the breeze in the second half Tyrone knew they would have to show greater urgency and concentration for the second thirty minutes. Driven on by outstanding goalkeeper Julie Lagan, full back Catherine Muldoon and the half back line of Mc Gready, Rafferty and Cathy Jordan the team grew in self belief. Midfielders Casey Gallagher and Niamh Coyle fought for every ball while the forwards led superbly by Reagan Fay made the most of the chances they got in the second period. 

The most important of these was the half chance that was doubled on by full forward Laura Barker before it squirmed beyond the stick of goalkeeper Frances Ramsey. That score was the shot in the arm that the girls needed for Tyrone to hold out for a well deserved win. 

Antrim did battle back and with Mc Bride showing unerring accuracy from play and placed balls they managed to reduce the gap to a single point but Tyrone were not to be denied and the full time whistle confirmed The Red Hands as deserving one point winners.