Rathnure are unstoppable
Blackstairs outfit too strong
CLINICAL RATHNURE proved too strong for St. Martin’s in the Under-14 Premier camogie shield final in Coolree recently.
The Blackstairs club were in irresistible form, with sensational full-forward Caoimhe Byrne leading the way with a stunning personal haul of 9-3.
It was a fantastic team performance from the victors. They married clinical attacking with strong, clean defending to get the better of a young St. Martin’s outfit who will surely have better days ahead.
Rathnure actually won the group game between the sides in even more convincing fashion. Yet, they got off to a slow start as Aoibheann Mernagh found Sophie Roche’s net inside four minutes to give St. Martin’s a shock 1-0 to 0-1 lead.
However, Byrne had three of her goals on the board by the time the Piercestown-based side scored again. Aoife Codd was also on target as Rathnure built a 3-2 to 1-0 advantage in the first quarter.
Mernagh added a point for her side before a little while later Niamh Cullen found the net. At the other end Katie Codd, Caoimhe Byrne (two), Shauna Byrne and Abi Doocey made the net ripple before the break.
Emma Barry brought a great save out of Sophie Roche before the interval. It would have been a nice goal to get with her side trailing by 8-6 to 2-1 at the changearound.
St. Martin’s did a better job of keeping the ball out of the goal in the second-half. Amy Cahill registered a major, while Byrne hit the net four more times. Katie and Aoife Codd, and Amy Foley, added points in the second period too.
Still, the eventual runners-up continued to battle and they got their rewards when substitute Aoife Cullen pulled home a late goal to give her side something to celebrate in the second-half as Rathnure took the plaque.
Rathnure: Sophie Roche; Siobhán Somers, Amy Cahill (1-1), Amy O’Neill; Eimear Morrissey, Amy Foley (0-1), Zoe Mooney; Róisín O’Connell, Katie Codd (1-4, 0-1 free, 0-1 ‘45); Aoife Codd (0-2), Aoife Wickham, Ella Lyng; Abbi Doocey (1-0), Caoimhe Byrne (9-3), Shauna Byrne (1-0). Subs. - Ella Doyle, Aine O’Neill, Cliona Holohan (used), also Michelle Byrne, Kellie Byrne (capt.).
St. Martin’s: Róisín Waters; Camille McGrath, Elena Sinnott, Sally Barrett; Lauren Divilly, Kate Barrett, Jane Sinnott; Sarah Hobbart, Aoife O’Connor; Niamh Cullen (capt., 1-0), Aoibheann Mernagh (1-1), Sinéad Hegarty; Ellen Ormonde, Emma Barry, Aisling Kelly. Subs. - Aoife Cullen (1-0), Cara Smyth, Claragh Keane, Heather O’Leary, Megan Murray-Byrne, Eileen Rowe, Aoife Bridges, Demi Byrne.
Referee: Nicholas Kehoe (Cloughbawn).