Antrim 1-16 Offaly 3-8

Report by John Gavin

Offaly took on Antrim in their opening game of this year's Glen Dimplex All Ireland Intermediate Championship in Portglenone knowing the opposition would be a step up from those they had faced so far this year. 

While their game against Wexford in the Leinster Semi Final provided Offaly with a challenge against a county competing above them in the League, Antrim had gone on to win the Division 1B title so the Midlanders were in no doubt about the size of the task that faced them in their opening match of the Championship.

David Sullivan's starting team had a somewhat familiar look about it with the exception of Roisin Kinsella moving back into the half back line to replace the injured Ellen Regan and a reshuffle in the attack saw Kinsella replaced by Caoimhe O'Donovan.

The opening half was a close low scoring affair with the sides trading scores for the opening part of the half.  After 20 minutes a lengthy blood stoppage to Grace Teehan caused a break in play but after being bandaged up by the medical team the Naomh Brid woman was able to resume her place in the Offaly attack.  After the break in play Antrim went on to hit three points on the bounce but a point from the aforementioned Teehan left the Saffron girls leading by 2 points at the break.

After the break, Antrim went up a gear and seemed to score at will initially and hit 1-5 in the opening 5 minutes and the travelling Offaly supporters must have feared the worst but a goal from Mairead Teehan stemmed the flow and left Offaly 7 points in arrears.  A point from Grace Teehan narrowed the gap further but a brace of points by Antrim stretched their lead to 8 points and Faithful girls were in desperate need of inspiration.  

They got it  by way of a purple patch which started with a converted free from Grace Teehan.  Minutes later, Moneygall's Mairead Teehan got the ball and went on a bursting solo run that resulted in a shot that was saved by Caitriona Graham in the Antrim goals but substitute Becky Bryant was on hand to finish the rebound to the net.  Within a minute and Teehan helped herself to her second goal of the day to narrow the gap to a point and Offaly now had their tails up.  Minutes later and a pointed free from Clodagh Leahy levelled the scores and the visitors were in the ascendency and looking to capitalise on they had gained.

With three minutes to go, Antrim were awarded a questionable free that Roisin McCormack duly converted and the home side added to it minutes later to seal a two point victory.

Offaly will now go on to meet Meath in their next outing.  The teams last met in the league when Offaly went on to claim a hard fought three point win.

Antrim team:  Caitriona Graham, Clare McKillop, Katie Lynn, Caoimhe McNaughton, Erin Coulter, Sarah O’Neill, Shannagh Heggarty, Amy Boyle, Nicole McAtamney, Maeve Kelly, Roisin McCormick, Lucia McNaughton, Cassie McArthur, Katie Molloy, Caitrin Dobbin, 

Antrim scorers:  Katie Molloy 0-6, Roisin McCormick 0-5 (2 frees), Caitrin Dobbin 1-2, Maeve Kelly 0-2, Annie Lynn 0-1

Offaly team:   Leah Gallagher, Aoife Liffey, Megan King, Cathy Fogarty, Roisin Kinsella, Amy Byrne, Orlagh Phelan, Sharon Shanahan, Faye Mulrooney, Clodagh Leahy,  Christine Cleary, Grace Teehan, Caoimhe O'Donovan, Mairead Teehan, Fianait Dooley

Subs:  Karla Mannion for Megan King,Becky Bryant for Fianait Dooley, Ciara Maher for Faye Mulrooney, Kaitlyn Kennedy for Cathy Fogarty, Orla Kilmartin for Caoimhe O'Donovan

Offaly scorers:  Mairead Teehan 2-0, Clodagh Leahy 0-3 (3 frees), Grace Teehan 0-3 (2 frees), Becky Bryant 1-0, Christine Cleary 0-1, Caoimhe O'Donovan 0-1

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