September 24th ‘13
Ulster Junior Camogie Championship
Clontibret, Monaghan 1- 15
O Donovan Rossa, Derry 2-8
Clontibret booked their place in the Ulster Junior camogie semi-final following a 4 point win on Sunday last over O Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt, despite a blizzard of scores from the visitors between the 24th and 30th minute which reduced Clontibret’s comfortable lead from 6 points to a single point. Half-time provided a timely opportunity for the Clontibret cailiní to re-group and brace them-selves for what proved to be a helter-skelter second half – a tantalising battle which provided great entertainment for both sets of supporters.
Clontibret set the pace from the throw-in with Shauna Finnegan (0-1), Catherine Tomany (0-2), Michelle Morgan (0-1) and Nicola Morgan (0-1) all registering scores before Magherafelt found their land-legs! Eventually in the 13th minute Dervila McGuckin opened their account with a point but Marie Greenan quickly cancelled this out with a rasping goal which really put Clontibret in the ‘driving seat’. The ‘Rosses’ continued to apply pressure on the Clontibret defence which, until the 22nd minute, held firm, but at that stage Michaela McConvery, who plays her county camogie with Antrim, slotted over her team’s second point. However Marie Greenan responded immediately at the opposite end of the pitch. Nonetheless with only 7 minutes remaining of the first half the Derry girls suddenly came alive and really hit a purple patch scoring 2 terrific goals from play (Michaela Convery and Jenny Lee) which were separated by a point from Caoimhe Toner leaving the half–time score: Clontibret 1-7
O Donovan Rossa 2-3.
From the re-start Clontibret showed the steeliness that helped secure their county championship title in Monaghan and within 2 minutes had extended their lead to 2 points when Marie Greenan pointed from play. Three minutes later she tagged on another from a free, leaving Clontibret 3 points clear. But Magherafelt had no notion of capitulating yet and in the 42nd minute Michaela McConvery converted a free to narrow the gap to 2 points. Again Clontibret responded and a foul on Aisling McElvaney was punished as Marie Greenan showed deadly accuracy when it was really needed and the margin was extended to 3 points again. However a Niamh McGuckian point from play whittled Clontibret’s lead back to 2 points but another foul, this time on Nicola Morgan, was suitable punished as Greenan split the posts creating a 3 point lead again for her side. But in see-saw fashion Nicola Crilly pointed for the Derry champs 2 minutes later bringing it back to a 2 point game. With the game now in the final quarter Clontibret’s superior skill and fitness began to show and while the scoreboard still ticked over Clontibret shot wide of the mark on 3 occasions in the final 10 minutes but, more importantly, also notched up 3 more points courtesy of Nicola Morgan, Michelle Morgan and Sinead Mohan. A final hurrah from Michaela Convery was ‘too little too late’ to save her side and the final score was:
Clontibret, Monaghan 1-15
O Donovan Rossa (Derry) 2-7
Clontibret now meet Dungannon (Tyrone) in a fortnight, who caused the major upset of the afternoon beating Castletara (Cavan) by 11 points. Elsewhere Loughgiel (Antrim) beat Castlewellan, (Down), by 5 points.
Clontibret panel: Karen Boyle, Laura McGinn, Aisling Greenan, Joanne McSkeane, Michaela McGinn, Shauna McElavaney, Tara McElvaney, Aisling McElvaney, Michelle Morgan, Catherine Tomany, Marie Greenan, Nicola Morgan, Sinead Mohan, Karen Kieran, Shauna Finnegan (Capt), Eleanor McQuaid, Shauna McKeever, Ailbhe Boyle, Katie McNally, Mairéad Tomany, Aoife Boyle, Muireann Atkinson, Donna Moen, Amy Moen, Alana McGinn, Orlaith Boyle (inj)
Congratulations to Clontibret U-16 team who made history last week when they topped the Armagh U-16 League following their decisive defeat of Mullaghabawn. They add this title to the U-16 title they won in Louth a few weeks ago Panel: Amy Gorman, Shauna McKeever, Emily Madden, Emma Deery, Sioneen Morgan, Niamh Kieran, Mary Duffy, Chloe McGuigan, Sinéad Mohan (Capt), Ríoghnach Duffy, Eimear McKenna, Hannah McSkeane, Sorcha McDonald, Melinda McCague, Niamh Hughes, Clíona McDonald,Katie McNally and Catherine Mohan.
Many, many thanks to the loyal band of parents who supported this team all season travelling all over Armagh and Louth to matches.
Good Luck to Monaghan Ladies
The Monaghan Camogie Board wish Monaghan Ladies the Best of Luck when they take on Cork in the Ladies All Ireland Final in Croke Park on Sunday next.
New Ard Stiurthoir of the Camogie Association
Joan O’Flynn who is a former President of the Camogie Association has been appointed as Ard Stiurthoir. Joan who hails from Cork has visited Monaghan on many occasions, her most recent being in January 2012 when she accepted an invitation to present the winning Monaghan Camogs with their All Ireland Junior B Championship medals at the annual presentation awards.The Board wish to congratulate Joan on her new role.
By fmctiernan Wed 25th Sep
