Laois Minor Camogie team prove no match as Antrim run riot in All-Ireland Shield final

The Laois Minor Camogie team have been defeated in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor 'A' Shield Championship final by Antrim in UPMC Nowlan Park on Sunday afternoon.

Laois had trailed by two points at the break, but a superb second-half of scoring saw Antrim over the line and be crowned All-Ireland Minor champions.

Antrim 1-27

Laois 2-9

It didn't take long for the game's first white flag to be raised as Antrim pointed straight from the throw-in. Eobha McAllister won the throw-in and set up her midfield partner Eva McNeill to split the posts. Laois' first point came in the second minute courtesy of an Eimear Murphy free. Antrim dominated the early proceedings and got the next three points without reply. Eva McNeill increased her and Antrim's tally to two points before Kady McNeill and Eimear McCaughan opened their accounts. Lara Culleton fired over Laois' second point in the seventh minute.

Antrim's first goal came somewhat fortuitously as Aimee Ferris' shot for a point dropped over the head of Laois goalkeeper Grace Foxe and landed in the net. Emma Jane Cuddy and McCaughan traded points soon after, but it was Laois' turn to raise a green flag. The Laois forwards put severe pressure on the Antrim defence, and it proved decisive as Eimear Murphy won the ball and smashed the ball past Orlaith Johnson.

Antrim conceded the goal in the 11th minute, but replied with three scores on the trot to cancel out Laois' goal from Murphy. McCaughan pointed twice while Amy McAlister got her first point of the day. Laois had a great chance for a second goal, but Katie Kavanagh's one-on-one effort was saved by Orlaith Johnson in the Antrim net. Laois did get that second goal soon after as Murphy and Cuddy combined to tee up Lara Culleton to get Laois back into the game. Murphy pointed a free in the 20th minute to reduce Antrim's lead to one.

There was only one more score before the half-time whistle as Antrim went into the dressing rooms ahead by two after a point from Mary McArthur. Antrim led 1-9 to 2-4 at the break.

Antrim's Cara Delaney got the second-half scoring underway with Laois' Murphy replying two minutes later from a free. Antrim would push their lead to six points in the next five minutes with four scores on the trot. Eobha McAllister, Amy McAlister, Kady McNeill and Aimee Ferris all added a point each for the Ulster side. Laois replied with two frees from the stick of Murphy. It looked like Antrim were in for a second goal in the 42nd minute, but Chloe Troy made a superb block from a McArthur shot.

Amy McAlister and Katie Kavanagh traded points, but Antrim were finding it easier to add to the scoreboard. Ferris and Kady McNeill added scores from play. Kavanagh took her tally to two points for Laois, but the O'Moore County still trailed by five points with 48 minutes on the clock.

Antrim made sure of the victory in the final 12 minutes with 10 points all without reply. Eva McNeill pointed six of those, two frees and a 45'. Amy McAlister raised the other four white flags. Antrim won out by double scores in the end.