Camogs defeat Derry to reach Ulster final

Camogs defeat Derry to reach Ulster final

27 April 2022

DOWN camogie manager Paul Donnelly felt Sunday’s Ulster senior camogie semi-final was “an excellent contest from start to finish” and few would disagree with him.

Derry, under former Down and Ulster hurler Martin Coulter, produced one of their best performances in the Ulster championship and came very close to ending Down's unbeaten run that extends back to 2018.

They were ahead for most of the game and held an advantage of two points in the 58th minute. 

However, the experienced Paula O’Hagan from a free and captain Aimee McAleenan from play levelled matters. 

Although Áine McAllister pointed a free at the other end with two of the scheduled three minutes of added time played, there was just enough time for one last Down attack and it almost produced a goal. 

But Derry net-minder Niamh McQuillan dived on Niamh Mallon's effort and stopped it going over the line. 

She may have prevented the goal, but she gave away a free that O’Hagan pointed to bring the game to extra-time.

Once again Derry struck for home in the second period of extra-time with a free from McAllister and a super point from Maria Rafferty less than 30 

seconds later to put them ahead 1-12 to 0-13.

However, Down responded well with Blanaid Savage breaking the tackle on the right side-line to find Niamh Mallon in space. The Portaferry forward picked out O'Hagan, for once inside the Derry defensive cover.

Forced to check back, O'Hagan still had the presence of mind to fire low and hard to the corner of the net. 

Although the home side responded to the goal with a fine point from sub Dara McGuckin, O’Hagan had the last word when she stroked over a late free.

Donnelly was quick to sing O’Hagan’s praises. 

“Paula had a baby at the start of the year and she was back at county training within eight weeks,” he said. 

“On Sunday she started and played the full game, more than 80 minutes. And her experience was vital in seeing us through today. 

“She put in a solid performance throughout and was there to get the key scores.”

Down have been relying on Niamh Mallon to top-score in most of their games. 

On Sunday Derry put a marker on the Portaferry ace and also ped Clíodhna Ní Mhianáin back in the role of sweeper in front of them. 

Mallon failed to score from play and was also off target with a couple of frees she took during the third quarter.

“It isn’t often that Niamh doesn’t make a big impact on the score-board. But look at the work that she does off the ball and she was there to set up Paula’s goal,” said Donnelly.

“Overall I think we have a bit of work to do on our shooting from around the D. It wasn’t great today. We created a lot of scoring chances, but didn’t take enough of them,” he continued.

“It is the sign of a good team though that we were behind for a lot of the game, but still worked hard and got the scores to see us through. 

“I thought everyone worked extremely hard, especially the two subs who came on.”

Down hit three of the first four points inside the opening six minutes with Dearbhla Savage and Paula O’Hagan (2) on target. 

However. Áine McAllister responded with two points to level after 13 minutes.

The Ballinascreen player also made the break that resulted in a goal for Dervla O’Kane in the 15th minute. 

Derry seemed to feed on the energy the goal gave them and they moved into a 1-5 to 0-4 lead after 20 minutes. 

However, three late points from Down – two for Clara Cowan and the other right on half time from Aimee McAleenan – made it a single point game at the change of ends.

During the third quarter, McAllister and Mallon each pointed a free but both were involved in incidents that could have resulted in much more.

After 35 minutes Mallon was upended in the Derry goal area but Armagh referee Martin McGann ignored penalty claims. 

Then 11 minutes later when Máiréad McNicholl was brought down at the other end of the pitch, he had no hesitation in spreading his arms.

McAllister struck the penalty well but Catherine McGourty pulled off a fine save to keep her side in the game.

Down then hit three late points to take the game to extra-time. The teams could not be separated after the first period and then came the four quick scores in the early part of the second period - three points for Derry with a goal for Down in between.

The goal was a big score and O'Hagan added a late point to bring her side into another provincial final against Antrim this coming Sunday.

Meanwhile there wasn’t any joy for Down’s second string who were steam-rolled by Armagh in Ballyholland in the Ulster Intermediate semi-final. The Orchard county won by 6-25 to 0-2.

Derry: N McQuillan, R Kirkpatrick, M Mooney, M Kerr, S O’Doherty (capt), G McNicholl, R Bradley, A Cassidy, D O’Kane (1-0), A McAllister (0-8, 7 frees), C Ni Mhianain, A Shaw, S O’Connor (0-1), M Rafferty (0-2), M McNicholl (0-1).

Subs: D McGuckin (0-1) for A Cassidy (47), C Glass for M Mooney (52), R Cassidy for S O’Doherty (59).

Down: C McGourty, A Savage, D Magee, D Coleman, L Clarke, B Fitzpatrick, C McGilligan, P O’Hagan (1-6, 0-5 frees), C Cowan (0-3), C Fitzpatrick, D Savage (0-1), B Savage, S Sands (0-1), A McAleenan (capt, 0-2), N Mallon (0-1 free).

Subs: C Fitzsimons for L Clarke (44), O Boyle for C Fitzpatrick (52).

Referee: M McGann (Armagh).