Antrim 2-7
Fermanagh 0-11

by Deniese O’Flaherty

A superb goal from substitute Aoibhinn Monaghan saw Antrim claim the Lidl National Football League Division 4 title with a two point win over fellow Ulster side Fermanagh.

Down by two points in the 52nd minute Monaghan found the back of the net with a fantastic finish to edge her side ahead. Antrim ended the game with 14 players while Fermanagh finished up with 13.

From the throw-in Fermanagh went on the attack with Joanne Doonan firing over their opening point. Lara Dahunsi levelled for Antrim before a Bronagh Devlin free edged the Saffrons ahead. Maria O’Neill found the back of the net in the ninth minute to put four points between the sides.

With sharpshooter Eimear Smyth in fine form Fermanagh were back level in the 17th minute. Devlin fired over another free in the 19th minute before a Smyth free drew the sides level for the third time.

In the final five minutes of the half Smyth kicked over two points while Doonan got her second of the game to give the Ernesiders a 0-9 to 1-3 lead going in at the break.

Fermanagh extended their lead to four in the 37th minute with a point from Lisa Maguire. Antrim needed scores but couldn’t get them. In the 39th minute Saffrons keeper Aine Devlin brought off a fine double save to keep her goal intact.

Antrim got their first score of the second half in the 43rd minute when Devlin fired over a free; their first score in 24 minutes of football. Fermanagh’s attack forced Antrim into the concession of frees which Smyth duly pointed. She scored her seventh point of the game in the 49th minute to put a goal between the sides. 

Fermanagh full-back Ciara Clarke was sin-binned in the 52nd minute and one minute later Antrim took the lead; substitute Aoibhinn Monaghan fired a stunning strike to the net.  

In an eventual final four minutes Antrim were reduced to 14 in the 56th minute when Aine Tubridy received a yellow card. Fermanagh were dealt a blow two minutes from time when Doonan was sin-binned to leave them with 13. 

O’Neill sealed the win for Antrim with a point in the 59th minute.

Scorers - Antrim: M O’Neill 1-1, B Devlin 0-4 (4f), A Monaghan 1-0, L Dahunsi, L Agnew 0-1 each.

Fermanagh: E Smyth 0-7 (1’45, 4f), L Maguire, J Doonan 0-2 each.

ANTRIM: A Devlin; N McIntosh, M Blaney, M Mulholland; S O’Neill, C Brown, D Coleman; A Mulholland, Á Tubridy; T Mellon, L Dahunsi, A Kelly; B Devlin, N Jones, M O’Neill. Subs: L Agnew for Jones (35), A Monaghan for Kelly (36), C McKenna for Coleman (47), S Barrett for Boyle (55), B Smyth for McCabe (57).

FERMANAGH: A Haren; S McQuaide, C Clarke, E Keenan; A O’Brien, C Murphy, C Bogue; N McManus, M McGloin; S Barrett , C Martin, L Maguire; J Doonan, E Smyth, A McCabe. Subs: S McCarville for O’Brien (47), E Murphy for Keenan (54).

Referee: Eoghan O’Neill (Kildare).

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