Back to Castleblayney!
Blayney retain their County Championship Title for the second year running.
The 21st of August was a historic day for the club as our senior team won the County Championship in Pearse Park, Ballybay. This was the first time in 12 years that the club has won back to back County titles, a momentous achievement for the girls.
Sunday last the weather provided a difficult day for camogie with heavy rain falling for most of what was an action packed game for the supporters. Blayney were deserving winners on the day, with a game of sheer talent, determination and courage from the young side which saw them outplay Clontibret.
The stakes were set high for Castleblayney as defending County Champions, this provided them with motivation and galvanised them in their determination to succeed and to take the cup home with them again.
This was an absorbing contest between two well matched opponents with Castleblayney starting strongly scoring four points in the first quarter from Amber Lam and Eileen McElroy. Clontibret replied by hitting a point, making the game 0-4 to 0-1 fifteen minutes in. Blayney were forced to make an early substitution in the opening fifteen minutes when full forward Elaine McKernan received an injury to the hand. Sheena McKenna caught a great ball and sent it to the back of the net giving Blayney a 1-05 to 0-4 lead after 20 minutes. Blayney finished the half with a well worked point and a goal from Eileen McElroy to leave Blayney leading 2-5 to 0-4.
Clontibret started the second half strong with the opening score, Blayney, however were quick to respond with a score from Amber Lam. Another blood substitution had to made for Blayney in the opening ten minutes of the second half when Niamh Brennan received a head injury. A high fielding ball caught by Rachael Markey spurred Eileen McElroy on to score a spectacular goal leaving the score 3-06 to 0-8. Clontibret to their credit continued to strive for openings but found it hard to break through Blayney's strong defence and drove hard in the final few minutes to score a goal but the staunch defensive and a point blank save from Roisin McKenna saved the day and ensured that Blayney clinched the title. After a thriller of a match and bruising encounter Blayney have now booked a quarter-final meeting on the 2nd of October in the Ulster Junior Competition.
Castleblayney Managers Francie Markey and Hugh Cullen spoke about how the girls knew that this match was going to be one of the toughest they faced all year and knew the girls were determined to retain the Gael Linn Cup and win back to back county titles. The two managers were happy with how the girls performed and felt that the girls got the reward they deserved after their work rate in training all year. They now look forward to representing Monaghan in competing for the Ulster Junior Title.
A special word of thanks to Pearse Park, Ballybay for their excellent facilities, the referee and the match officials.
A huge thank you to our sponsors The Royal Jade and Ivan Honeyman for the fabulous new jerseys for the team.
Final score: 3-06 to 1-10
Castleblayney Panel: Roisin McKenna, Kelsey Lam, Rebecca Treanor, Lisa O'Connell, Karen Markey, Emma Heavin, , Arlene Leonard, Amber Lam(Captain) (0-5), Laura McQuillian, Rachael Markey, Eileen McElroy (2-1), Niamh Brennan, Kate Deasy, Elaine McKernan, Sheena McKenna (1-0), Mary McElroy, Orlaith Maguire, Clodagh Duffy, Eileen Cullen, Jessica Cullen, Ciara Kelly, Leah Haughey, Aoife Cullen, Louise O'Connell, Reegan Lynch.
Tweet