Camogie – u16B County Final

Eire Og Nenagh 3-5 Kilruane MacDonaghs 0-1

Unfortunately we were beaten by Eire Og Nenagh in the u16B County final at the weekend. The girls gave everything from start to finish and the final scoreline of 3-5 to 0-1 does not reflect the effort that they put in. The opening stages were fairly even. The Kilruane backs were being pressed hard by the Nenagh forwards but were standing their ground nicely. Full back Eibhlin Enright in particular caught the eye as she made clearance after clearance. However, you could sense that the first score was going to be important, and it was Nenagh that eventually goaled. Kilruane kept the heads up though and pushed forward again. A long range free was dropped in from Roisin Cahill but eventually went wide. At the other end the backs kept going, they forced one out for a 45, which wasn’t converted, and another effort was sent wide after great pressue from Niamh Costello. When Roisin Cahill, who was playing as a 3rd midfielder, was fouled, and scored the resuling free herself, you could feel that Kilruane were back in the game at 1-0 to 0-1. At just midway through the first half the Nenagh management were already introducing their second sub, first time it was to replace Roisin Cahill’s marker, this time their full forward was the one replaced after a tough time on the afore mentioned Eibhlin Enright. A Nenagh point brought the momentum back to them, however when they got through for their second goal, which some argued was a square ball, it looked like it was going to be Nenagh’s day. When they followed this up soon after with their third and final goal the Kilruane heads dropped considerably. Just before half-time Chelsea Cooney was introduced to the full back line. Nenagh added one more point to leave the half-time score 3-2 to 0-1.

It did indeed seem a tough task, but the Kilruane girls showed their true MacDonaghs spirit and fighting attitude in the 2nd half, where they battled gamely and held Nenagh to just 3 points. They were also unlucky, had they got an early score in this half things might have turned out differently. Maria Hogan worked hard to get a dangerous ball through, and although Ciara Grace got it in for a goal, the whistle was adjudged to have been blown and the goal didn’t count. Caroline Hill was brought in at corner foward and Leanne Tooher was also introduced. The first score of the 2nd half came after 10 minutes of play when Nenagh pointed a free. Shauna Maher did well to get another Nenagh effort out for a 45. Nenagh added 2 further points. Sorcha Heenan was the last Kilruane sub introduced. The final score was 3-5 to 0-1.

Team: Shauna Maher, Helen Hogan, Eibhlin Enright, Georgiana Finn, Emma Cleary, Emilee Austin, Sarah Sullivan, Shauna Heffernan, Niamh Costello, Lianne O’Kelly, Clodagh Hodgins, Katie Quinlisk (Capt.), Ciara Grace, Maria Hogan, Roisin Cahill (0-1). Subs: Chelsea Cooney, Caroline Hill, Leanne Tooher, Sorcha Heenan, Maura Maher, Rachael Armitage, Mary Grace.
Management team: Pat Shanahan, Frances Cleary, Fiona Ryan, Mel Callan, Liam O’Kelly, Paul Callan. The squad finished the evening with an enjoyable meal at The Fairways Kilruane.

It was a marvellous achievement for the team to get to the final and they can be proud of their progress during the year, under the watchful eye of their hard-working trainers. They were gracious in defeat and can be proud of their dignity and behaviour. Many thanks to all from the parish who came along to support the girls on the day. Thanks also to Freddie Williams who recently gave a great training session to the girls.