10 October 2010
2008 All Ireland Club champions Rossa made a huge stride towards regaining the Antrim county title they lost to Loughgiel last year when they beat the Shamrocks in Saturday’s semi-final at Fr Maginn Park, Glenravel.
In a tough dogged match played in a strong crossfield wind Rossa gained the upper hand early in the second-half after the sides had finished deadlocked on four points each at the break. A goal from team captain Jane Adams four minutes after the restart set the champions on the victory trail and with corner-forward Maorisa McGourty in excellent form they began to put a bit of daylight between themselves and reigning champions.
Racquel McCarry kept Loughgiel in touch as she curled a couple of expertly struck frees over against the difficult wind but two from Jane Adams and one from Natalie McGuinness edged Rossa six clear.
Laura Connolly, who had moved up from full-back struck a fine point for the Shamrocks to bring it back to five but Adam and McGourty hit back to pull Rossa seven clear and though Racquel McCarry fired a free to the net with the final puck of the game it was too late to effect the outcome.
In the opening seme-final late scores from county star Shannon Graham gave Creggan victory over Ballycastle in a highly exiting game. When substitute Kathy McGouran deflected a high ball to the Creggan net to put Ballycastle two clear with just five minutes left for play the Castle appeared to be heading for their first senior final. However Creggan kept their nerve and points from Sarah Maguire and two from Shannon Graham saw Creggan claim a final place against Rossa.
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