Limerick Camogie Notes
November 10, 2015
Killeedy 2-6 (1-1) Shannonside 2-4 (1-4)
Junior Championship Final
Sunday 8th November in Ballyagran
Killeedy were crowned Junior champions on Sunday with a 2-6 to 2-4 win over Shannonside. In a very exciting game in Ballyagran that defied the wet and blustery conditions it was Killeedy's experience led by captain Caitrín de Bhál that told in the end.
The game was a clash between two sides who had seen success in the League with Killeedy having won the Intermediate Plate and Shannonside the Junior League. It was Shannonside, who are a development side combining players from Monaleen, Treaty Gaels and Mungret St Pauls, who had the better of the opening exchanges with Caoimhe Lyons pointing twice from play and Niamh Tuite adding a brace from 45s. Killeedy had their chances at the other end but playing into a stiff breeze only had a Caitrín de Bhál free to show for it.
However with three minutes to the break Emily Rose Mulchay pounced on a breaking ball to hit the back of the net and level the scores. But Shannonside were to respond just before the break with Caoimhe Lyons finding the back of the net following a strong break by Sinéád Madden restore their lead by 1-4 to 1-1.
Killeedy responded best when play resumed and Caitrín de Bhál had reduced the gap to the minimum with a point from play and a free when on the quarter hour Emily Rose Mulcahy again found the net from a Cathy Foley pass to give Killeedy the lead for the first time in the game.
Killeedy were dominant in this period with Deniese Forde creating opportunities throughout and they stretched their lead with two more points from placed balls by Caitrín de Bhál and one from play from substitute Katie O'Reilly. Shannonside hadn't given up and began to put pressure on the Killeedy goal and this finally paid off in added time when Niamh Tuite found the back of the net from a free. But it was too late for a dramatic comeback and Killeedy were crowned deserving winners. Killeedy captain Caitrín de Bhál received the trophy from vice-chairperson of Limerick Camogie Donie Browne to the delight of their fans.
The game was a credit to both sides as the conditions did not lend themselves to the finer skills of the game. But the match was an enthralling battle from beginning to end, with total commitment from both sides and some quality goals and drama right up to the final whistle.
Scorers:
Killeedy: Emily Rose Mulcahy 2-0, Caitrín de Bhál 0-4 (3 frees), Katie O'Reilly 0-1
Shannonside: Caoimhe Lyons 1-2, Niamh Tuite 1-2 (1-2 frees)
Killeedy: Norma Leahy, Gillian O'Regan, Gemma Barrett, Cathy Foley, Rachel Lacey, Joanne Murray, Michaela O'Donnell, Deniese Forde, Roisín Cunningham, Aisling Cunningham, Briana O'Connor, Caitrín De Bhál, Mary Cunningham, Emily Rose Mulcahy, Emily O'Regan, Breda Larkin, Katie O'Reilly, Maria Larkin, Sharon Carmody, Ciara McCarthy, Nóirín Collins, Jane Lacey, Margaret Harnett Curtin
Shannonside: Chloe Duggan, Kate Aherne, Niamh Doyle, Aisling Doyle, Gráinne Fullen, Hannah Lowe, Alannah Lyons, Anne O'Toole, Niamh Tuite, Jennifer Holmes, Sinéad Madden, Niamh Doyle, Eileen Russell, Caoimhe Lyons, Cathy O'Toole, Pauline Cosgrove, Aine Higgins, Amy Fitzgerald, Eva Bromell, Aoife Hogan, Chelsie Moloney
Niamh Mulcahy misses out on All-Star award.
Limerick's Niamh Mulchay missed out on a Camogie All-Star award when they were announced at the Liberty Insurance sponsored ceremony at City West on Saturday night. Niamh who was nominated in midfield lost out to Galway's Niamh Kilkenny and Cork's All-Ireland winning captain Aisling Thompson.
Niamh who won Intermediate Soaring Star awards in 2013 and 2014 has been one of Limerick's star players and we are her sure that her nomination this year in Limerick's first year back at Senior level is but the beginning of great things that are ahead for her and for Limerick Camogie in general.
