'Very, very proud' - Antrim claim famous victory over Cork in senior camogie Division 1A

Antrim controlled the majority of the game, albeit against a new-look Cork side who had only three players from the starting 15 that were defeated by Galway in last year’s All-Ireland final.

SHOCK: Cork's Aisling Egan breaks away from Amy Boyle Loughgiel of Antrim. Pic: Noel Sweeney.

Cork 1-11 Antrim 2-10

We don’t know exactly how long it is since an Antrim team defeated a Cork team in a senior camogie match, but we do know what’s rare is wonderful.

So, for the Saffrons to come to the Rebel’s back yard and pull off a famous two-point victory in Division 1A of the Centra Camogie league in heavy conditions at MTU Cork on Saturday is big news.

The Ulster team were promoted to the top tier after winning the 1B final last year, and after shipping a 16-point defeat at home to Tipperary last week in round 1, the stakes were high.

Using one sub, they were worthy winners. They controlled the majority of the game, albeit against a new-look Cork side who had only three players - Libby Coppinger, Ashling Thompson (captain on the day) and Emma Murphy - from the starting 15 that were defeated by Galway in last year’s All-Ireland final.

Cork led for only the second time, and briefly, in the 48th minute when sub Orlaith Cahalane netted, 1- 9 to 1-8.

Both sides feeling the pressure in the Camogie Centra National Leagues at THE MTU Cork GAA grounds. Pic: Noel Sweeney

Antrim regained their grip three minutes later when Aimee Ferris goaled after the sliotar spilled in the danger area. Nicole McAtamney (who bagged 1-5) and Éabha McAllister pointed to give a four-point lead with five minutes remaining.

Cork pegged it back to two, and in the dying seconds sub Ava McAuliffe had an opportunity to clinch it but her blistering shot went across the goal and wide.

Elaine Dowds has returned as Antrim manager after stepping away three years ago and she says, while they won’t be getting carried away, she cannot remember beating Cork in her time.

“I’ve played camogie all my life. This is the first time in many years. But I do understand this is a very depleted Cork team, but I am still very, very proud of what we have done today.

“We’ve come down here and given absolutely everything. It is about work-rate, belief, never giving up, no lost causes, and I think you saw that today.

“Normally I would think the league is for getting your subs off the bench, but who could I take off there?”

Thompson won the toss and elected to play against a strong cross wind, which was a factor on how the opening half turned out.

Antrim made the early running, but they failed to avail of three frees in the first five minutes.

In the fifth minute Janey McIntosh opened the scoring from play.

Two minutes later, Hayley Ryan converted a 45 for Cork.

The Rebels had a chance of a goal, but a double save by the outstanding Antrim captain and goalkeeper Caitriona Graham denied Orlaith Cremin and Cliona O’Callaghan.

The next 10 minutes belonged to Antrim as they surged six points to two clear.

Cork’s first score from play arrived in the 21st minute from Emma Murphy.

They would have been happy to go to the dressing-room 0-8 to 0-5 in arrears, and with the elements to come.

And they started the second half positively, Murphy (2) and Isobel Sheehan drawing them level.

Cremin put them a point ahead.

Antrim dug deep, and a superb finish from McAtamney who was at the end of a Lucia McNaughton cross, left them 1-8 to 0-9 up.

Cahalane’s major kick-started a Cork fightback - McAuliffe the provider - but Antrim, despite inaccuracy, grafted and ground out the result.

They have two weeks off before entertaining Waterford. Cork, meanwhile, who have yet to register a victory in the league, travel to Kilkenny who are on full points.

Scorers for Cork: O Cahalane (1-1), E Murphy (0-4, 0-1 45, 0-1 free), I Sheehan and O Cremin (0-2 each), H Ryan (45) and M Condon (0-1 each).

Scorers for Antrim: N McAtamney (1-5, 0-4 frees), A Ferris (1-0), É McAllister (0-3, 0-1 free), J McIntosh (0-2).

CORK: E Hurley; M Murphy, L Coppinger, A Egan; R Harty, A Thompson, A O’Neill; M Condon, A Fitzgerald; E Murphy, I Sheehan, O Cremin; H Ryan, N McNabola, C O’Callaghan.

(Capt) M Cahalane.

Subs: O Cahalane for C O’Callaghan (half-time), A McAuliffe for I Sheehan, C Kingston for A O’Neill (both 47), K McCarthy for N McNabola (50), A Cashman for H Ryan (57).

ANTRIM: C Graham (Capt); C Patterson, S Hegarty, D Dobbin; C McKillop, K Molloy, N Cosgrove; A Boyle, É McAllister; M Kelly, L McNaughton, N McAtamney; A Ferris, C Griffin, J McIntosh.

Subs: C Conlon for N Cosgrove (half-time).

Referee: Brian Kearney (Kildare).