ALLIANZ RACKARD LEAGUE CAMOGIE ROINN C FINAL
BALLINDAGGIN 5-5 CASTLETOWN 0-0
Ballindaggin proved to be too strong for a gallant Castletown side in this entertaining Allianz Roinn C Final played in Wexford Park on Tuesday evening last. Ballindaggin had a well balanced outfit but the scoreline does not do justice to this Castletown team that brought energy, commitment and heart to this final.
Ballindaggin got off to the perfect start when Alison Frayne turned and made space before firing low past Sarah Whelan in the Castletown goal inside five minutes. This was followed by a pointed thirty from the outstanding Sinead Nolan as the Kiltealy girls continued to dominate the early stages. However the Castletown defence, superbly marshalled by Caoimhe Molloy, kept space at a premium and contained the Ballindaggin forward line . Castletown were coming more and more into the game with Aoife Hughes and Aoife Kenny getting through some good work at mid field. However Katie Colclough, Aine Murphy and the rest of the Ballindaggin defence were quick to the breaking ball and kept the Castletown attack under severe pressure when shooting. Ballindaggin registered the final point of the half with another thirty from the influential Sinead Nolan.
Castletown to their credit attacked from the off in the second half with the hard working Caoimhe Molloy moving to mid field. Castletown enjoyed their best period with Hannan Frih, Orla and Caoimhe Molloy launching many spirited attack on the Ballindaggin defence. The Kiltealy girls withstood this onslaught and responded through Sophie Lenehan who was becoming more prominent as the game progressed . In the space of three minutes she bagged 1-2 to the delight of the large following from Ballindaggin. First she fired over two quick minors before breaking inside the Castletown rearguard to find the net despite the best efforts of defender Cáit Kavanagh. This made it 2-4 to 0-0 entering the final quarter. To their credit Castletown rallied again and exerted huge pressure on the Caim defence but time and again Liza Bates’ defence stood strong to frustrate the Gorey District sides attack.
Castletown gave their full panel the experience of finals day in Wexford Park and Ballindaggin were much too strong in the final minutes adding further scores from Sineád Nolan and Alison Frayne to clinch a memorable victory for the girls in green, white and gold. Castletown were well served by Caoimhe Molloy, Cáit Kavanagh, Aoife Hughes, Aoife Kenny, Orla Molloy and Hannan Frih while Ballindaggin had star performers in Katie Colclough, Aine Murphy, Sinead Nolan, Alison Frayne and Sophie Lenehan. Afterwards joint captains Liza Bates and Sinead Nolan received the Allianz Rackard Cup from John Brennan of the Rackard League.
Ballindaggin: Liza Bates, Katie Colclough, Niamh Atkinson, Roisin O Muiri, Aine Murphy, Ashling Pender, Alison Coleman, Amy Conroy, Sinead Nolan, Alison Frayne, Abbie O’Connor, Sophie Lenehan. Clodagh O’Leary, Ciara Banville, Sophie Spillane, Keelin McHugh, Bridget Gainford, Brídín Dwyer, Karen Cowman, Coleen Murphy, Caoimhe Hanrahan, Geri Rose O’Connor.
Castletown: Sarah Whelan, Catherine McDonald, Caoimhe Molloy, Ellen Flood, Cait Kavanagh, Aoife Hughes, Caith O Shaughneassy, Aoife Kenny, Orla Molloy, Hannan Frih, Hannah Morrissey, Niamh Spencer. Ellen Kavanagh, Nicole McCarthy, Bethany Braham, Amy Whitmore, Mikeala Menton, Maeve Byrne, Aoife Moules, Jessica Kavanagh, Deirbhle Cruise, Hannah Quinn, Lucia Merrigan, Eimear Wildes and Emer O’Doherty.
Referee: Ger O’Reilly