Bray Emmets through to camogie Féile
Joined by Aughrim in Féile 2019
BRAY EMMETS captured the Wicklow under-14 camogie Féile title when they overcame Aughrim in an exciting and well contested final played in Ballinakill on a damp and cold Monday evening last.
The competition was decided in a blitz format, with Bray Emmets overcoming Carnew Emmets in a tightly contested semi-final.
The Carnew girls had the monopoly of possession for much of this game but were unable to reflect this on the scoreboard.
Bray came back near the end and a pointed free from Emma Nesbitt brought the North Wicklow into the final. Likewise, in the second semi final, scores were hard to come by. Aughrim played Kiltegan and here again tight marking was the order of the day.
Ciara Connolly brought the girls from the south of the county to the final when she scored the only point of the game in the second half.
Carnew Emmets had some measure of consolation when they overcame Kiltegan to qualify for a regional Féile later in the year.
In the final proper, both sides seemed that little more relaxed as they both now knew that they were on the way to represent Wicklow in the national Féile in Cork in June.
The destination of the Wicklow Féile trophy was the prize on offer in this game.
Aughrim got off to a flying start and Ciara Connolly had them ahead at 1-1 to no score after five minutes.
However, the Bray girls settled and gradually got back and had goals by Emma Nesbitt and Aoibhe Traynor to lead by 3-0 to 1-1 at the half time break.
The smallest player on the field, Bea Clancy, in the Aughrim goal, was having a great game but could do little about the shots that beat her.
Bray were a well balanced team and gradually wore down the side from the Granite Village in the second period.
Further goals from Grace Redmond and Emma Nesbitt plus a point from the full forward brought their final tally to 5-1.
Aughrim’s response in the second period came with another Ciara Connolly goal to bring their final score to 2-1.
Bray had notable performers in Laura Doyle, Grace Redmond, Aoibhe Traynor and Emma Nesbitt. However, they had good players all over the field and were worthy winners.
The Aughrim girls were very pleased with their performance given that they were giving away age and size advantage in many positions.
They had skilled performers in BeA Clancy, Niamh Whelan, Holly Byrne, Aoife Campbell, Ciara O’Brien, Emma Keenan and their scorer in chief, Ciara Connolly.
Following the game the County Camogie Cathaoirleach, Ivor Lehane, presented the Féile trophy to the Bray Emmets captain Emma Nesbitt.
Scorers – Bray Emmets: Aoibhe Traynor 2-0, Emma Nessbitt 2-1, Grace Redmond 1-0. Aughrim: Ciara Connolly 2-1. Referees for the semi-finals and final were Con O Ceadaigh and Tony McLoughlin.
AUGHRIM: Bea Clancy; Ciara O’Byrne, Niamh Whelan, Leah O’Hare; Rebecca McCarthy, Holly Byrne, Chloe Dore; Aoife Campbell, Ciara O’Brien; Willow Jordan, Emma Keenan, Chloe Sheehy; Zoe O’Connor, Ciara Connolly, Sophie McCarthy. Subs,Tara Carroll, Iona McKenna, Sarah Downs, Aimee Clancy.
BRAY EMMETS: Katriona Smith; Arrianne Zellar, Cara Mahony, Rose Jordan; Eimear Hardiman, Laura Doyle, Ella Cummins; Ailbhe Whittle, April Harty; Roisin O’Connor, Aoibhe Traynor, Rachel O’Brien; Martha Lackey, Emma Nesbitt, Grace Redmond. Subs Kathy Quinn, Saibh Smierciak, Emily Ryan, Annie Redmond.