Granagh/Ballingarry Senior Camogie team.
Eamonn Walshe County Senior Camogie Final in Ncw
Granagh/Ballingarry……………………………………………………………………………………..0-21
Ahane…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1-11
Talented Granagh/Ballingarry were monarchs of all they surveyed winning the county senior camogie title for the 4th time in a row, as they overcame highly talented Ahane in a very exciting encounter, played before a fine crowd in ideal conditions at Newcastle West on Sunday afternoon.
The sides were on level terms three times in the opening quarter, before Granagh/Ballingarry finished the half stronger, leading by two points at the interval and produced a highly impressive second half performance, outscoring their vaunted opponents by 0-10 to 0-5 in that period, and in the finale were deserving winners. In the opening minutes Brenda O’Keeffe and Niamh Mulcahy exchanged points before lady of the match Rebecca Noonan edged her side ahead with a gem of a point. A quartet of points courtesy of Siobhán Enright, Rebecca Noonan, Mairéad Fitzgerald and Aoife Sheehan gave Granagh/Ballingarry a five point advantage as the game entered the 9th minute. Ahane failed to be overawed and rallied back to cut the deficit to a solitary point thanks to two magical long distance pointed frees by Niamh Mulcahy.
Following intense pressure by Ahane, midfielder Áine Reynolds pounced on a breaking ball with a ground shot to the net. Twelve minutes had elapsed, the teams were level for a second time. Rebecca Noonan and Pauline McCarthy exchanged points before points from Aoife Sheehan (2) and Meabh Nash restored their side’s confidence with Niamh Mulcahy (2) and Aoife Sheehan exchanging points in the closing minutes of a most exciting half. The score at the interval read Granagh/Ballingarry 0-11, Ahane 1-6.
Granagh/Ballingarry improved considerably after the interval with points by Rebecca Noonan (2) and Aoife Sheehan giving them the perfect start to the half. A point by Róisín O’Meara briefly uplifted Ahane’s spirit before Rebecca Noonan and Niamh Mulcahy exchanged points. The brilliance of Aoife Sheehan, Rebecca Noonan and Mairéad Fitzgerald who shot a series of brilliant points combined with a brilliant defence ably marshalled by Fiona Hickey and Lisa Kelly proved too much for Ahane who were relying on Niamh Mulcahy and Róisín O’Meara for scores proved too much.
In the final analysis Granagh/Ballingarry hadn’t a weak link from custodian Claire Enright to corner forward Rebecca Noonan with Vera Sheehan having the unique distinction of winning her 17th county title and Granagh/Ballingarry their 23rd senior title. Overall a highly sporting and entertaining game. After the game Seán Condon presented the trophy to a delighted winning captain Vera Sheehan. He complimented both teams, referee Mike Woulfe and his officials. Vera Sheehan thanked the entire panel, manager Gary Shanahan and selector Louise Enright before giving three rousing cheers for Ahane.
Granagh/Ballingarry: Claire Enright, Emer Hickey, Lisa Kelly, Kaylee Stapleton, Niamh Chawke, Fiona Hickey, Theresa Mulcaire, Vera Sheehan, Siobhán Enright, Brenda O’Keeffe, Meabh Nash, Emer Morrissey, Mairéad Fitzgerald, Aoife Sheehan, Rebecca Noonan.
Ahane: Síle Moynihan, Niamh Martin, Niamh Power, Ann Kennedy, Kate Herbert, Judith Mulcahy, Sarah Crotty, Áine Reynolds, Marguerita McCarthy, Aoife Quinn, Niamh Mulcahy, Róisín O’Meara, Pauline McCarthy, Margaret Meskell, Nora Moloney.
Referee: Mike Woulfe.