Boyle credits Saffron depth after league success

By Michael McMullan

ANTRIM captain Amy Boyle paid tribute to the depth of the Saffron squad after Saturday’s Division 1B league final win over Clare.

Goals by Katie Molloy and Caitrín Dobbin helped Antrim into a two-point interval lead.

They had the wind at their backs for the second half but lost Dobbin to injury. After weathering a Clare comeback in the third quarter, Antrim pushed for home.

It was a delighted Antrim skipper speaking on this week’s Gaelic Lives podcast about maintaining their winning run this season.

“Our goal was to retain our position in (Division) 1B, but we set off in that first match and we beat Wexford,” she said.

“We knew there was a real chance we could go on here and win this whole thing.

“It was a lot of work by everybody. We have a panel of 29. I think everybody got game time and played a hand in it

“It was great to set off up the road, with the first bit of silverware that was available. It was a great result and there’s a great team spirit now within the team.”

It was their second win over Clare in a week after they topped the group in a dead-rubber in game in Ennis after both counties had already secured their spot in the final.

“It’s always an exciting position to be in,” Boyle added about the growth of their squad.

“There’s a lot of new players who came onto the panel this year. When you win together too, it makes a big difference as far as team bonding.

“We’re excited to be able to have so many new players on the panel. Last week, we knew we were through to the league final playing Clare, but we took a lot of confidence from it

“A lot of girls stepped up and took a place for the final. We just need to make the most of every match, so it’s been a really great league season for us.”

There was a sense of confidence at half time after hitting three goals but Boyle ties it all back to their squad. Dobbin’s fingerprints were over all three goals and their inside forward line was on form.

“We know ourselves a breeze isn’t going to win you a match,” Boyle said of the half-time message.

“We knew if we could bring the work rate that we normally do bring, we have been strong coming out at half time

“That’s what it was. We knew the players we had to come on to would probably be starting on any other team.

“Losing Caitrín early in the second half was a big blow. She was on fire on Saturday.

“The next person in just stepped up and that was it at half time. We knew the players coming on are just going to be as hungry as the players that started.”

Check out this week’s edition of Gaelic Lives for the full interview with Amy via our Spotify or YouTube channels.