Brave Camogs fall to talented Saffrons

Despite their best efforts Meath fell short against a talented Antirm side in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie semi-final on Saturday.

Antrim 3-10

Meath 0-12

Before Saturday’s All-Ireland Intermediate semi-final in Breffni Park, it had been predicted that Meath might struggle with Antrim’s pacey, talented full-forward line. That is exactly how events transpired at the Cavan venue as second-half goals from Eobha McAllister and Cliona Griffin ultimately proved to be Meath’s downfall. The loss closed the curtain on what has been a roller coaster but impressive season for the Royal Camogs.

Meath deserve huge credit, not only for their incredible journey to the semi-final but also for the tenacity and intensity they brought to Saturday’s clash, particularly in the first-half. There was no doubt that the Royals had the Saffrons on the ropes which in itself is a fair achievement given that pre-match Antrim were very warm favourites to progress to the decider in Croke Park.

Despite the concession of three goals, the Royals defended with great tenacity. As always, Sophia Payne worked incredibly hard and picked up plenty of loose ball in her bid to put a halt to as many Antrim attacks as possible.

Aoife Minogue has now fully settled back into this squad after her travels and she was absolutely superb. Every chance Minogue got she delivered ball into Meath’s full forwards. She was also very accurate on frees and finished with 0-7.

Overall though, despite the best efforts of the Royals, Stephen Sheil’s side eventually succumbed to a talented Antrim team who were deserving winners and will fancy themselves strongly to lift the Jack McGrath Cup.

Early on, Meath kept pace with the eventual winners on the scoreboard. Points from Abbye Donnolly and Minogue cancelled out scores from McAllister and Lucia McNaughton.

However, the Royals were rather fortunate not to concede two early goals. McAllister was denied by a Rachel Moran clearance off the line and in the seventh minute McAllister was again unlucky to see her effort on goal come back off the crossbar.

It was a case of third time lucky for McAllister as she eventually found the back of the net in the 10th minute after being assisted by Griffin. The signs that the Meath full-back line were going to struggle with the pace of the Antrim full-forwards were evident early.

Minogue got Meath back on track with the first of her frees in the 16th minute. It was an excellent strike from the Dunderry star who split the posts into a strong breeze from the Antrim ‘65’. Emma Regan then announced herself to the clash in fine style as she rattled off three points in quick succession.

Regan’s first point was a lovely move that saw Ellen Burke gather a lovely long ball from Minogue before she laid it off for Regan to split the posts. The pacey Na Fianna attacker then followed up with two more points in the space of 60 seconds.

Antrim regained momentum towards the end of the first-half as points from Roisin McCormick and Maeve Kelly secured the Saffrons a 1-5 to 0-6 lead at the break.

It was clear by the intent in which Antrim started the second-half that they were fully aware of the danger that Meath posed in their bid to progress to the All-Ireland decider. Amy Boyle opened the scoring soon after the restart before Antrim delivered a big blow to the Royals when McAllister found the net again. McAllister’s 35th minute goal opened up a gap of six points on the scoreboard.

Minogue got Meath going again when she received a pass in her own half from Leah Devine and drove forward powerfully at the Saffrons, bypassing three Antrim defenders on the way before eventually being fouled. She converted the resulting free and Meath were back to within five at the end of the third quarter.

Antrim quickly seized back momentum and between the 49th and 51st minute rattled off three points courtesy of McCormick, McAllister and Shannagh Heggarty to lead by 2-10 to 0-8. The Royals now had a mountain to climb but they never dropped their heads. A nice move that started with a Maggie Randle puck-out was polished off by Regan for her fourth and Meath’s ninth point.

Minogue followed up with two frees and with five minutes left, Meath were still alive as the gap had been reduced back to five points. However, their hopes were dashed when Cliona Griffin opened up a Royals defence that had been pressing high looking for scores. Griffin put the contest to bed with a third goal for Antrim.

A late free for Minogue was nothing more than a consolation for the Royals as the final whistle confirmed the end of Meath’s enthralling journey in the All-Ireland Intermediate Camogie Championship for 2026.

Antrim: Caitriona Graham; Colleen Patterson, Caoimhe Conlon, Caoimhe McNaughton; Clare McKillop, Katie Molly, Shannagh Heggarty (0-1); Amy Boyle (0-1), Linda McNaughton (0-1); Maeve Kelly (0-1), Roisin McCormick (0-4 three frees), Nicole McAtamney; Janey McIntosh, Cliona Griffin (1-0), Eobha McAllister (2-2). Subs: Orlaith McAllister for McAtamney 37m, Sarah O’Neill for McIntosh 41m.

Meath: Maggie Randle; Sophia Payne, Maeve Clince, Rachel Moran; Rachel O’Neill, Leah Devine, Erin Leddy; Aoife Minogue (0-7 six frees) , Olivia O’Halloran; Aoife Carey, Abbye Donnelly (0-1), Roisin Heaney; Emma Regan (0-4), Ellen Burke, Ella O’Brien. Subs: Aoibhin Lally for O’Halloran 23m, Grace Coleman for Heaney 43m, Katie Connolly for Burke 62m.

Referee: Ciaran Goff (Wicklow).