Second-half surge sees Antrim dashes Laois All-Ireland dream

Antrim 1-22 

Laois 0-11 

LAOIS'S hopes of claiming the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate camogie title ended in disappointment this afternoon as Antrim produced a strong second-half display to run out 1-22 to 0-11 winners in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park. The sides went head-to-head in the final, with Laois trailing by just four points at half-time before Antrim pulled clear after the interval.

Antrim made the quicker start when Lucia McNaughton pointed after just 20 seconds, with Eobha McAllister adding a second shortly afterwards. Laois got themselves on the scoresheet when Grainne Delaney opened their account before Clodagh Tynan levelled matters with an excellent long-range free from the halfway line.

Antrim regained the lead through a Roisin McCormick free, and she added another from a placed ball soon afterwards. McCormick then struck from play before adding a 45' after Tynan had denied McAllister a shot at goal. Laois continued to battle and were rewarded when Catherine Kirby sent an effort over the bar, having seen an opportunity that might have resulted in a goal instead drop just over the crossbar.

McAllister added another point for Antrim before Delaney responded with her second of the afternoon. McCormick continued to prove a major threat from placed balls and added another point, but Laois remained within touching distance as Aimee Collier converted a free.

Maeve Kelly then had the final score of the opening half, pointing just before the whistle to leave Laois four points adrift at the interval, Antrim 0-9 Laois 0-5.

Laois began the second half positively and reduced the deficit when Tynan struck another superb long-range free, this time from the 65. Collier then converted another free to leave just two points between the teams before McCormick responded from a placed ball at the other end.

Delaney completed her hat-trick with another point for Laois, giving them renewed hope of mounting a comeback. However, Antrim began to gain control as the second half progressed. Janey McIntosh and McCormick added points before Shannagh Heggarty and McAllister stretched the Antrim advantage.

The key moment arrived when McCormick found the back of the Laois net, firing a low and powerful effort past Aedin Lowry to put Antrim firmly in command. Laois continued to fight and Kaylee O’Keeffe opened her account with a point, but Antrim responded through Kelly.

McAllister added another before Kelly struck again as Antrim began to build an unassailable lead. Collier took another Laois free, this time played a short ball to Tynan in an attempt to create a goal-scoring opportunity, but the chance did not produce the breakthrough Laois needed and went over the bar.

McCormick added another point for Antrim before McAllister registered another score which required Hawk-Eye confirmation, with the technology confirming the effort had gone over. McCormick continued her excellent afternoon from placed balls, converting a 45' before adding another free.

Tynan added her fourth point for Laois late on, but McCormick had the final say from another free as Antrim completed a convincing second-half performance. Laois battled to the final whistle but were unable to find the goal they needed to turn the contest back in their favour, with Antrim eventually running out 1-22 to 0-11 winners.

SCORERS:

Antrim: Roisin McCormick 1-11 (0-5fs, 0-2 45s), Eobha McAllister 0-5, Maeve Kelly 0-3, Lucia McNaughton, Shannagh Heggarty, and Janey McIntohs 0-1 each.

Laois: Clodagh Tynan 0-4 (0-2fs), Grainne Delaney 0-3, Aimee Collier (f) and Catherine Kirby 0-1 each.

ANTRIM: Caitríona Graham; Colleen Patterson, Caoimhe Conlon, Caoimhe McNaughton; Clare McKillop, Katie Molloy, Shannagh Heggarty; Amy Boyle, Lucia McNaughton; Maeve Kelly, Róisín McCormick, Nicole McAtamney; Janey McIntosh, Cliona Griffin, Eobha McAllister.

Subs: Sarah O’Neill for Molloy (ht), Orlaith McAllister for McAtamney (48m), Elen McIntosh for J. McIntosh (48m), Aimee Ferris for McNaughton (56m), Dearbhail Dobbin for Patterson (56m).

LAOIS: Aedin Lowry (Camross); Laura Finlay (St Brigid's), Aoife Finlay (St Brigid's), Karla Whelan (Naomh Eamonn); Lucy Conroy (O'Moore's), Clodagh Tynan (St Brigid's), Rachael Deegan (The Harps); Sarah Creagh (St Brigid's), Jade Bergin (The Harps); Kaylee O'Keeffe (St Lazarian's), Grainne Delaney (Camross), Catherine Kirby (The Harps); Kristen Keenan (Camross), Aimee Collier (Camross), Susie Delaney (Boherlahan-Dualla).

Subs: Eimear Hassett (St Brigid’s) for Kirby (36m), Aisling O’Dea (St Brigid’s) for Keenan (45m), Amy Lacey (The Harps) for Deegan (52m), Aoife Carroll (St Brigid's) for Whelan (57m), Sarah Fleming (Portlaoise) for O'Keeffe (57m).

Referee: Joe Mullins (Clare)