August 21st ‘12
Inniskeen book their spot in the Championship Final
Inniskeen 0 – 6
Clontibret 0 – 6
Nothing short of a win would be enough to take Clontibret through in their bid for” 8 in a row” when they went head to head with Inniskeen in Emerald Park,Blackhill on Sunday last. Clontibret had been defeated by C‘Blaney in the first round and Inniskeen in turn defeated C’Blaney in the next round so Clontibret had it all to play for on Sunday last when they met Inniskeen in a low scoring encounter.
Inniskeen got off to a good start when Linda Callan fired over 2 points in quick succession from frees one of which was a sideline ball in the opening minutes. Their side threw everything at the Clontibret defence in the first half in which Shauna Mc. Elvaney proved an able back. Isobel Kieran completed the Inniskeen half time score when she slotted a point over in a converted free in the 13th minute. Callan was issued with a yellow for dissent some minutes later.
Eleanor Mc. Quaid and Michelle Morgan worked hard in trying to break down the Inniskeen blanket defence and with 20 minutes on the clock Clontibret registered their first wide, Morgan continued to purge ahead but Bernie Mc. Gahon kept a clean slate in goals. Michelle Morgan made a run from the midfield to slot over Clontibret ‘s first point of the game in the 23rd minute and a minute later converted a free to leave her side trailing by just one point at the break.
Half time Score Inniskeen 0- 3
Clontibret 0 -2
From the throw in Inniskeen once again went on the rampage when Linda Callan converted a free. Clontibret tried desperately to penetrate the Inniskeen defence and Donna Moen got through for a point to bring the sides level in the 6th minute after the break. Morgan converted a free 3 minutes later to put Clontibret in front for the first time in the match. Things were hotting up and Clontibret had taken control, they went two ahead when Catherine Tomany placed one over the bar. Isobel Kieran was issued with a yellow for an upstruction on Muireann Atkinson in the 20th minute, which Morgan duly converted to complete Clontibret scores of the match.
Isobel Kieran who dominated the Inniskeen backline was brought down on a solo run towards the Clontibret goal, earning her side a free which she duly converted. One point now divided the sides when in the 25th minute Inniskeen equalized when Linda Callan saved the day when she shot one over from play. Inniskeen Team, Bernie Mc. Gahon, Maggie Boylan,Aisling Mc. Geeney, Louise Mc. Ardle,Edel Kieran, Isobel Kieran,(0-2) Josie Fitzpatrick,Linda Callan,(0-4) Carmel Mc. Skeane, Julieanne Finnegan, Tracey Mc. Geeney, Lorraine Lynch, Mairead Mc. Gahon, Kathriona Byrne
Clontibret
Marie Greenan, Ailbhe Boyle, Aisling Greenan, Aisling Mc Elvaney, Tara Mc Elvaney, Joanne Mc Skane, Shauna Mc Elvaney, Michelle Morgan(0-4) Eleanor Mc Quaid ,Donna Moen (0-1),Muireann Atkinson,Shauna Finnegan ,Aoife Boyle, Catherine Tomany(0-1) ,Karen Boyle, Amy Moen, Orla Boyle, Mairead Tomany, Laura Mc Ginn, Karen K.ieran
Royal Jade Senior Championship Final in Drumhowan @ 5pm.Sunday 26th Aug.
Inniskeen now take on Castleblayney who were last years finalist, in the Championship Final on Sunday next. Castleblayney will be more experienced going into the 2012 Gael Linn Cup, on back of last years defeat when they went under by a point. Inniskeen on the other hand have defeated the opposition on the last two outings. So come along and support your teams where a good match is envisaged.
Forde Paul who is Manager with the Castleblayney team is confident going into Sunday’s match and is hoping for a win after last years defeat “ I was very disappointed after last years final , the team did’nt perform in the first half and it wasn’t until the second half that the team accumulated their scores and brought the game back to the narrowest of margins. But we have no injuries for this final and feel that participating in the Division 2 of the Armagh League has helped our squad immensely”
Eddie Quigley Manager with the Inniskeen team has no injury worries going into Sunday’s final “even though we have a small panel we will still be relying on the Old Stalwarts like Issy and Co. to carry this off. Both teams are familiar with one and other and C’ Blayney are a young squad who were narrowly beaten last year but winning the Louth Senior League has boosted our morale and giving us more confidence”
Clontibret Camogie News
Our Senior Championship 2012 campaign came to an end on Sunday last when we drew with Inniskeen in Blackhill resulting in a Castleblayney /Inniskeen final this Sunday. Though disappointed, many of our players knew that they had under-performed on the day – a day when they needed to deliver a big performance.
With 8 championship finals under their belt in the past 7 years – none of which they lost – the girls can be hugely proud of their achievements and no doubt, watching 2 ‘new’ teams in Sundays final will provide the impetus to ensure they are not spectators next year.
We wish both Inniskeen and Castleblayney well in the Royal Jade Senior Championship final.
Elsewhere in Armagh, 3 finals – Junior, Intermediate and Senior – were all played in Port Mor on Sunday. Due to a Keady/Tullysarron draw in the senior final, Clontibret’s match against Tullysarron in the Armagh League, Premier Division, was postponed this week. This senior final will be replayed on Monday next (Bank Holiday). Our neighbours Derrynoose won the Intermediate final while Derrymacash were victorious in the Junior final.
Away from the playing fields, Eimear McKenna distinguished herself by reaching the National Community Games U-14 finals in the breast-stroke in Athlone last weekend. This was a wonderful achievement considering she faced the ‘cream’ of swimmers from 32 counties. Hard luck to Emily Madden who was narrowly pipped in her heat but attained a personal best. The stuff that Olympic dreams are made of!!
And what a weekend for Katie Leonard and her family! Katie’s granny, Joan, was one of the stars of The Big Money Game on Saturday and Katie and her little sister Rachel featured prominently as they cheered wildly and displayed their lovely banner in support of their Granny Joan. Having shot to fame let’s hope Katie doesn’t forget to come back to the U-14 team!!
Thanks to Aidan for his involvement and help on Sunday last when John was on club duty with Clontibret hurlers in the Shield final – which they won. Aidan was home on a week’s holiday and was very willing to help out.
Congratulations, again, to Amy and Laura who secured more than enough points to secure their place in colleges – thankfully in Ireland! Both girls also looked stunning at their respective ‘debs’.
Finally, best wishes to many of our younger players who start, or start back, to second-level education in the coming week. Good luck in your new schools and with your studies.
By michael Wed 22nd Aug
