March 12th ’13
Castleblayney retain Senior Camogie Blitz Cup
Castleblayney 2 -2
Clontibret 1 – 4
With the Blitz competition failing to materialize in 2012 due to County team commitments, a repeat performance from the 2011 Blitz Final seen Castleblayney and Clontibret once again go head to head as Castleblayney lived dangerously in the dying minutes of the final played in O’Neill Park, when they defeated Clontibret by the narrowest of margins to claim the coveted Silverware. Played in Baltic conditions, the competition served as a curtain raiser to the domestic season whereby clubs were lacking some key players, nevertheless a high standard of camogie prevailed throughout the tournament.
A low scoring affair seen the first pairing of Clontibret and Truagh remain scoreless at the half time whistle however Clontibret emerged with a 2 point win with a converted free from Michelle Morgan and a point coming from Shauna Finnegan.
Clontibret 0-2
Truagh 0-0
Castleblayney and Inniskeen was a more lively encounter where Inniskeen’s Lorraine Casey and Castleblayney’s Niamh Brennan rattled both nets in the first half. Two Mc. Kernan points stretched the gap for Castleblayney and Orla Mc. Carthy converted a free to put her side 3 points ahead at the whistle.
Castleblayney 1-3
Inniskeen 1-0
Truagh who were just back from a “sabbatical “ couldn’t contain Castleblayney as Donna Mc. Kenna and Mc. Carthy raised the green flag with Mc. Kenna and teammate Amber Lam adding points each, minutes later. Mairead Mc. Carron converted a free for Truagh before the halftime whistle. Niamh Brennan blasted a shot past the Truagh goalkeeper at the opening of the second half with Lam putting one over from play.
Castleblayney 3-3
Truagh 0-1
Inniskeen had no answer for Clontibret as Shauna Finnegan slotted 2 goals past the goalkeeper and later tapped over a point from play before Karen Boyle added a further 2 points to the tally. Inniskeen had to settle for a late point from Gillian Hamill .
Clontibret 2-3
Inniskeen 0-1
The final got underway at a blistering pace when Michelle Morgan converted a free for Clontibret within 5 mins from throw in. Castleblayney’s Niamh Brennan delivered a super ball to an awaiting Emma Forde who blasted it to the net. Clontibret denied ‘Blayney any scores for the remainder of the first half and added a further 2 points from play coming from Michelle Morgan and Shauna Finnegan, to leave the sides level at the break.
Niamh Brennan bounced back with a point for ‘Blayney in the opening minutes of the 2nd. half and Elaine Mc. Kernan got in for goal to put their side in front, however not to be outdone Clontibret’s Michelle Morgan stamped her name on a goal and a point to again bring the sides level. Amber Lam claimed the winning point when she converted a free for ‘Blayney just before the final whistle .
Assistant Chairperson Teresa Lam congratulated all the teams who participated in such atrocious weather conditions and thanked Clontibret for their facilities and welcome refreshments. She also thanked the referee’s Rosie Merry and Joe Kennedy before presenting Kelly Fisher Captain of the ‘Blayney team with the Blitz Cup. Teresa also presented Niamh Brennan ‘Blayney, with “Player of the Tournament”.
By michael Wed 13th Mar
