Glory for Bunclody
Reigning champions are dethroned
BUNCLODY 2-6 R’GAROGUE-C’TOWN 1-4
THE CHEER that emanated around the ground told you all you needed to know as Bunclody celebrated a famous Under-14 Roinn 1A camogie championship victory over Rathgarogue-Cushinstown on a 2-6 to 1-4 scoreline after an absorbing county final played at Boolabawn.
The New Ross District side entered the fray as reigning champions, and defended their title with typical determination, with Bunclody only eventually pulling away in the last four minutes of normal time.
It was a game of fine margins throughout, with Rathgar- ogue-Cushinstown holding a slim lead after three minutes when Gráinne O’Neill’s shot from around 30 metres out dipped into the net for a 1-0 to 0-1 advantage.
Cora McGrath then converted a ‘45 after her initial delivery almost sparked pandemonium in the square, and tapped over a free after O’Neill was clipped.
Bunclody’s Eva Rothwell was then presented with their first genuine goal chance on 15 minutes, but the ball bobbled up just as she was striking, although they fared better in the next attack.
Corie Fitzgerald had a lot to do when she gathered to the right of the near post but she cleverly turned and bounced the ball to the net to help edge Bunclody 1-4 to 1-3 in front at the break.
The same gap stood between the sides after Cora McGrath and Aoife Farrell swapped frees as excitement reached fever pitch.
However, Bunclody found that little bit extra required to get over the line, as an instinctive ball towards goal from Katie Moynihan located Corie Fitzgerald loitering at the edge of the square, and she forced the ball home to open up the biggest margin of the night (2-5 to 1-4).
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown tried mightily hard for the counter-punch, but it was Bunclody who had the last say in an exhausting contest when the excellent Leah Morris set up Catherine O’Connor for the insurance point that sent their supporters into raptures.
Bunclody: Rebecca O’Connor; Rebecca O’Neill, Riona Mahon, Laura Myers; Rosie Dunbar, Naomi Kavanagh, Aoife Murphy; Jacqui Kehoe (capt.), Katie Moynihan; Aoife Farrell (0-3, 2 frees), Leah Morris (0-2), Catherine O’Connor (0-1); Emma Murphy, Corie Fitzgerald (2-0), Eva Rothwell. Subs. - Ella McDonald for Rothwell (47), Alena Moore for E. Murphy (56), also Eimear Cowman, Shauna Doyle, Sarah Kenny, Emily Doyle.
Rathgarogue-Cushinstown: Emir Porter; Ciara Kirwan, Elaine Asple, Kate Mythen; Tara Bookle, Claire McCarthy, Amy Stafford; Anna O’Brien, Ellie Nugent; Eabha Cullen, Cora McGrath (0-4, 3 frees, 1 ‘45), Aoife O’Farrell; Nicole Whitty, Gráinne O’Neill (1-0), Lily Somers. Subs. - Orlaith Butler for Whitty (HT), Katelyn Gaffney for Somers (HT), Ella Rossiter for Cullen (46), Aoibh Thomas for O’Farrell (46), also Ciara Cummins, Aoife Byrne, Mairéad Moran Wayne.
Referee: unteers). Damien Donovan (Vol-