Inters go down to Antrim
WEXFORD SLIPPED to their second consecutive defeat in the Liberty Insurance All-Ireland Intermediate camogie championship, this time against Antrim in Glenravel on Saturday.
The Slaneysiders lost their opening tie with Tipperary the previous week and must now beat Laois on Saturday if they are to maintain even the slightest hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
Wexford started this game on the front foot, scoring the opening point through Joanne Dillon before adding an Oonagh Doyle free to go 0-2 to nil in front.
However, once Caitrin Dobbin registered her first goal in the eleventh minute, the hosts never trailed again.
Doyle did bring her side level with a free but Antrim got the rarest of scores in the 14th minute when Racquel McCarry converted a line ball for two points to help her side into a 1-3 to 0-3 lead.
Yet Wexford responded again and were level when Aideen Bren- nan handpassed to Megan Coyle’s net in the 18th minute. Parity didn’t last long as Antrim scored the next goal and three points to take a 2-6 to 1-3 lead heading into the last few minutes of the half.
Late scores from Margaret Byrne, who again impressed with four points, and Deirdre McMahon left just four between the sides at the change-around. That gap was closed further when Oonagh Doyle added her third dead-ball shortly after the resumption.
Four points in a row followed for the impressive hosts. Byrne managed to stem the tide momentarily but when McCarry fired two goals in quick succession the writing was on the wall for Tom Dunphy’s side.
Trailing by 4-13 to 1-7, Byrne pulled another brace back for Wexford. Then, as the game move into the final quarter, Joanne Dillon found the net to add an element of respectability to the scoreboard.
There was still time for Oulart-The Ballagh forward Aideen Brennan to notch a pair of late points but there was no stopping Antrim from picking up their first championship win of the season.
Wexford host Laois on Saturday, the first of two home games to round out the group stages. Two weeks later Kilkenny make the short trip over the border, by which time their neighbours could already be out of contention for a last four spot.
Wexford: Rebecca Doran; Nancy Dunphy, Amy Ryan, Farren Byrne; Anna Whitty, Katie O’Connor, Leanne Foley; Michelle Martin, Leah Walsh; Joanne Dillon (1-1), Deirdre McMahon (capt., 0-1), Aoife Curran; Margaret Byrne (0-4), Oonagh Doyle (0-3, 2 frees, 1 ‘45), Aideen Brennan (1-2, 0-1 free). Subs. - Michelle Harding for Foley, Rachel Kelly for O’Connor, Derbhla Doyle for Ryan, Shauna Kelly for Doyle, Niamh Walsh for McMahon.
Antrim: Megan Coyle; Bernie McGarry, Laura Connolly, Aine Connolly; Maeve Connolly, Emma McFadden, Ciara Boyle; Charlene Campbell, Finola McVeigh; Orlagh O’Hara (capt.), Shauna Devlin (0-1), Racquel McCarry (2-10, 0-6 frees, 0-2 from 1 line ball); Caitrin Dobbin (2-2), Emma McMullen (0-3), Hannah Devlin. Subs. - Una McNaughton for A. Connolly, Katie McKillop for McVeigh, Ciara Dobbin for H. Devlin.
Referee: Julie O’Neill (Armagh).