Thursday the 18th of October in Mooncoin, under lights, was the unusual setting and venue for this fixture. After days of trying to find a suitable venue Mooncoin came up trumps and hosted the final. In ideal surrounds Mooncoin was in splendid condition and the opportunity to hurl under lights was welcomed by all the girls.
This was set up to be another hum-dinger after the championship win for St. Brigid’s two weeks previously. Most of this group were heading into their 3rd final in less than 12 months!
Having been U16 Roinn B runners-up in 2017 and U16 Roinn A Championship winners in 2018 this had all the makings of a great final and both teams didn’t disappoint. The game started tentatively with both teams having chances but it was Thomastown who scored the first point and went into the lead that they never relinquished over the course of the game.
It was score for score during the opening 20 mins with both Lauren Ronan(free) and Kate McCluskey with a great score from play keeping us in touch – Thomastown 0-3 St. Brigid’s 0-2.
The full back line of Reece Delaney, Roisin Casey and Kelly Lanigan were holding out brilliantly with timely interceptions and blocks but Thomastown sneaked in for a goal to make it 1-3 to 0-2 after 25 minutes. A fabulous ball by Isobel Calbeck was picked up by Lauren East who ran at the Thomastown defence resulting in a penalty for St. Brigid’s.
A point was taken by Lauren Ronan, and from there to the end of the first half great defensive play was shown by our half back line and midfielders of Claire Doheny, Isobel Calbeck, Lucy Egan, Kate McCluskey and Molly Butler but we found it difficult to get the better of the Thomastown defence.
Half Time: Thomastown 1-3 St. Brigid’s 0-3.
The forwards were working hard with Carragh Keating and Margaret Maher holding up the ball brilliantly for the other forwards who were struggling to break free from the Thomastown rearguard. Thomastown and St. Brigid’s traded scores for the first 10 minutes of the second half and then St. Brigid’s were rocked when Thomastown scored a goal and 2 points to make it 2-5 to 0-3 after 12 mins of the second half. Changes were needed and switches were made with Tara Ronan to 8, Claire Doheny to 9, Kate McCluskey to 5, Leah Brett to 11, Sarah Harrison to 13 and Lauren Ronan to 14 all helped these girls in the last 20 minutes. Under pressure now with 17 minutes to go our fitness levels were tested and we reacted. A well worked goal was started by Kate McCluskey to Lauren East who carried to Molly Bulter who passed to Lauren Ronan ending up in the back of the net – Thomastown 2-5 St. Brigid’s 1-3.
12 minutes to go and again Molly Butler and Margaret Maher won a great ball and sent it in low to Lauren Ronan who from 30 yards ran at the Thomastown defence and buried a goal to make it now 2-6 to 2-3. Thomastown reacted but two great saves from Ellie O’Neill resulting in a 45 to leave the score 2-7 to 2-3. Then came the goal of the match, another ball from Kate McCluskey to Lauren East who passed to Claire Doheny who ran at the defence and rifled a power driver into the roof of the net, 2-7 to 3-3 .
Again Thomastown reacted and put over another point 2-8 to 3-3 with 3 minutes remaining. Great work by Leah Brett resulted in a pass to Tara Ronan and a super point from 40 yards – Thomastown 2-7 to St. Brigid’s 3-4 with 2 minutes remaining. What a last 2 minutes from both teams where end to end chances were missed. St. Brigid’s did have the chances to level and go in front but it wasn’t to be on a night when Camoige was the winner. Thomastown were crowned League champions for the 3rd year in a row, an excellent achievement by their girls.
Full Time: Thomastown 2-8 to St. Brigid’s 3-4
Scorers: Lauren Ronan 2-2(pts frees) Claire Doheny 1 goal and Kate McCluskey/Tara Ronan 1pt each
To our St. Brigid’s girls, well they left it all on the field showing massive character, attitude and spirit they battled to the very end showing why they are U16 Roinn A County Champions. The double was possible but wasn’t to be on a unique night under lights in Mooncoin. The future for these girls and the camoige club is bright. They still have a great night to look forward to when the presentation of medals to both U14 and u16 Roinn A teams will be had before 2018 ends. Thanks for a memorable year girls we really enjoyed it and remember to add that victory to your CV!
Huge thanks to the Camoige club committee for all their endless work to our supporters, parents, umpires, medics and referees. The girls were kitted out and fed brilliantly for the final, huge thanks to all concerned. It’s a year to be remembered. Our best wishes to Mentor John Calbeck who is a selector with the Intermediate men when they play the County Intermediate Final against our nearest and dearest Tullaroan. To all three mentors John Calbeck, Mary McCluskey and Adrian Ronan thank you for your endless hours of coaching, coaxing and of course those 1km runs!
Finally girls, it’s important now to maintain that fitness so over the winter months continue to develop your skills, strength, conditioning and mobility which are vital ingredients in your camoige development.
TEAM: 1.Ellie O’Neill, 2.Recce Delaney, 3.Roisin Casey, 4.Kelly Lanigan, 5.Claire Doheny, 6.Isobel Calbeck, 7.Lucy Egan, 8.Kate McCluskey, 9.Molly Butler, 10.Lauren East, 11.Margaret Maher, 12.Leah Brett, 13.Tara Ronan, 14. Carragh Keating, 15.Lauren Ronan.
16.Sarah Harrison, 17.Caoimhe Young, 18.Abby O’Keeffe, 19.Caoimhe Cahill, 20.Ellie Lanigan, 21.Katie Maher, 22.Kate Everard(inj), 23.Moya O’Brien( inj), 24.Aoibhe Murphy( inj), 25.Robin Delaney (inj), 26. Faith Delaney (inj).