ANTRIM SALVAGE DRAW WITH LAST-DITCH POINT
ANTRIM manager Emma Kelly knew it was a chance missed as the Saffrons gave away a late four-point lead in the TG4 All-Ireland Junior Championship final before Orlaith Prenter saved them at the death against Fermanagh. Antrim held a 1-12 to 0-11 lead with just over ten minutes remaining in Croke Park. However, Fermanagh’s Eimear Smyth dispatched a penalty and further points from Erin Tierney and Smyth seemed to seal the win for Fermanagh. But Prenter scored in the final minute to send the tie to a replay for the West County Hotel Cup on Saturday, August 13. ‘We are disappointed, we thought we threw it away,’ said Kelly. ‘First half, I think it was 20 shots and we only converted eight. We should have been well out of sight. ‘The girls can do nothing but blame themselves but we live to fight another day. ‘It could have been doors shut, only we got that free at the end. Again, two weeks to go. It doesn’t matter what way it ends, you’re still here.’ In the first all-Ulster junior final since 2017, Maria O’Neill’s goal was the difference as Antrim took a narrow 1-7 to 0-7 lead into half-time. Bláithín Bogue scored 0-5 for Fermanagh from play in the first half and Antrim took the lead when Prenter scored in the tenth minute, and never looked back. Gráinne McLaughlin, Prenter and Cathy Carey all added further points while Bogue scored the last five points of the half for the 2020 champions . When Prenter scored back-to-back points, Antrim held a 1-12 to 0-11 lead in the 47th minute. But Smyth converted a penalty for Fermanagh two minutes later. Sub Tierney scored a point and Smyth gave Fermanagh a precious 113 to 1-12 advantage in the 58th minute. But Prenter equalised. Fermanagh boss James Daly said: ‘I looked at the clock and saw there was 30 seconds left. ‘My first thought was, “don’t lose the kick-out”. ‘I saw that happen to Fermanagh about ten years ago. Rushed the kick-out, the ball was over the bar and they were put out. ‘But we’re delighted.’ ANTRIM: A McCann; D Coleman, A McFarland, N McIntosh; M Mulholland, S Tennyson, S O’Neill; L Dahunsi, Á Tubridy; C Taggart (O Corr 33), C Carey, M O’Neill; B Devlin (T Mellon 34), O Prenter, G McLaughlin (A Taggart 40). Scorers: O Prenter 0-6 (0-4f), M O’Neill 1-1, G McLaughlin 0-3 (1f), C Carey 0-2, A Tubridy 0-1. FERMANAGH: R Gleeson; E Keenan, M McGloin, S McQuade; N McManus (E Douglas 41), S McCarville, C Bogue; B Bannon, A O’Brien; E Maguire (E Tierney 19), B Bogue, S Britton; C McElroy, E Smyth, L Grew (Maguire 55). Scorers: B Bogue 0-7, E Smyth 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-1f), A O’Brien, S Britton, E Tierney 0-1 each. Referee: Kevin Corcoran (Mayo).