Camogie Notes

Clontibret retain title after game of two halves

Clontibret         3 – 7

Castleblayney  3 – 6

A sensational finish seen the saffron and whites hold on to dear life to clinch their 7^th successive title in the “Westenra Hotel “ Monaghan Senior Camogie Championship Final  in Drumhowan GAA grounds on Sunday last. This team showed class and are just one below par with Killanny who had a straight eight in a row back in the eighties.  In what could be described as near perfect conditions , experience paid off for the Clontibret girls when they finished with a one point margin over Castleblayney.

Clontibret got off to a blistering start when Karen Boyle stunned her opponents when she sent 3 goals to the net in the first 15 minutes which wasn’t the start that Castleblayney had anticipated when they shot wide after wide from free. Blayney tried for scores on several occasions but were denied by the dependable defence of Joanne Mc. Skeane and  Aisling Greenan with Rosita Finnegan warding off everything that was thrown at her in goal.

Castleblayney got on the scoreboard when Niamh Brennan sent one over in the 13^th minute but Clontibret  stretched the lead further when  Nicola Morgan and Catherine Tomany added points a piece 5 minutes later. At this stage it looked game set and match when Marie Greenan  and Michelle Morgan sent over three  more points for their side. Castleblayney replied with a 2^ndpoint to bring the half time score  to:

Clontibret 3 – 5 to  Castleblayney 0 -2

‘Blayney swung things around from the start of the second half when Niamh Brennan wasted no time in rattling the net with a ball she collected from a sideline puck. Elaine Mc. Kernan who was introduced at half time, stamped her name on a goal and a point within 5 minutes  from throw in. Who said miracles don’t happen! Paul Forde, Manager with the ‘Blayney side must have been thinking  as he watched the ‘Blayney girls take control of the game.

Eileen Mc. Elroy converted a free for ‘Blayney, for a foul on Mc. Kernan in the 16^th minute. Scores were hard to come by for both teams and Clontibret didn’t register until the 25^th minute when Marie Greenan converted a ‘45. She did  likewise from play a few minutes later  while Mary Mc. Elroy  continued to distribute the ball into the forward line where they narrowed the deficit for ‘Blayney.

Clontibret supporters were on the edge of their seats when Niamh Brennan collected a midfield ball which she blasted to the net  for ‘Blayney in the dying seconds, but not enough to dethrone the victors as they breathed a sigh of relief to see their Captain Joanne Mc. Skeane lift the coveted Trophy.

A disappointed Paul Forde, ‘Blayney Manager paid tribute to his side “ the three early goals before we got settled, inexperience and missing  scoreable  frees were our downfall. I  used the bench at half time and had there been more time on the clock, then it could have gone our way but we have  a young side and we will be back”.

The Chairperson of the Monaghan Camogie Board Geraldine Clarke congratulated both teams and those who work behind the scenes on the high standard of camogie played and wished  the girls who will represent their County  the” best of luck “as they take on Wicklow in the All Ireland final on Sunday next . She thanked the Official Sponsor “The Westenra Hotel “and sponsors for the final : Mc. Quaid Quarries, Clontibret. Supervalu, Aughnacloy. The Sheebeen Bar, Castleblayney and Coolderry Coaches, Inniskeen.

Geraldine also paid tribute to the Drumhowan club for the use of the pitch which “as always” was in immaculate condition and to the umpires and lines people also the referee, Pat Walshe.  Maretta Sherry County PRO. proceeded to present the Gael Linn Cup to the Captain of the Clontibret  team Joanne Mc. Skeane and County Secretary Arlene Mc. Geeney presented “Player of the Match” to Mary Mc. Elroy, Castleblayney.

Clontibret team:  Rosita Finnegan, Michaela M. Ginn, Aisling Greenan, Hanna Tedore, Shauna Mc. Elvaney, Joanne Mc. Skeane, Eleanor Mc. Quiad, Michelle Morgan(0-1), Shauna Finnegan, Karen Boyle(3-0) Marie Greenan(0-4), Nicola Morgan(0-1), Donna Moen, Amy Moen, Catherine Tomany(0-1), Aideen Greene and Tara Mc. Elvanney,

Castleblayney team:   Roisin Mc. Kenna, Lisa O’Connell, Kelsey Lam, Donna Mc. Kenna, Orla Mc. Carthy, Kelly Fisher, Louise OConnell, Amber Lam, Regan Lynch, Eileen Mc. Elroy(0-3) Niamh Brennan(2-2)Mary Mc. Elroy, Aine Mc. Entee, Dione Harte, Rachel Markey, subs, Orla Wills and Elaine Mc. Kernan(1-1)

Castleblayney U 16’s will take on Castletara  in the James Travers Cup Tournament in Aghabog on Saturday next Throw in time is 3pm.

All Ireland Junior B championship Final

Monaghan V Wicklow in Donaghamore, Ashbourne. Throw in time 2.30pm.

Monaghan Camogie supporters will join Donegal football supporters on part of the jouney to Dublin on Sunday next  when the County  will defend the coveted Maire Ni Chinneide Cup which they won in 2010. Monaghan were allowed to remain in the Junior B division in order to build their team and this time round they take on Wicklow who earned a draw when Monaghan played host back in early July. Monaghan won the spoils by a mere two points, when they travelled to Wicklow. Monaghan have no injury worries going into Sundays match and hopefully will come away with an All Ireland win.

Monaghan Team :

Roisin Mc. Kenna, Louise OConnell, Aisling Greenan, Joanne Mc. Skeane, Edel Kieran, Isobel Kieran, Mary Meehan, Michele Morgan, Siobhan Mc. Kenna, Mairead Mc. Carron, Shauna Finnegan, Eleanor Mc. Quaid, Nicola Morgan, Marie Greenan, Karen Boyle, Mary Mc. Elroy, Catherine Tomany, Donna Mc. Kenna, Emma Mc. Kenna,Kelly Fisher, Carmel Mc. Skeane, Aideen Greene, Hannah Tedore, Bernie Mc. Gahon, Michaela Mc. Ginn