Kilrush retain Premier Féile camogie title
THE SLANEY Festival to see who qualified to represent Wexford in the national Féile camogie competition was held recently in various venues around the county.
The Premier division competition which decided who would represent the county in Division 1 was held at the Centre of Excellence in Ferns and was contested by four teams: Kilrush, Bunclody, Glynn-Barntown and St. Martin’s.
All teams played each other, with the top two making the final.
As defending Slaney Festival winners and reigning All-Ireland Féile champions, Kilrush entered the competition as favourites and didn’t disappoint.
Kilrush first met St. Martin’s and won on a scoreline of 3-1 to 1-2. Up next was their near neighbours, Bunclody, whom they beat by
2-1 to 0-1.
With two wins under the belt, Kilrush went into their last group game against Glynn-Barntown knowing that they had already secured their place in the final.
Glynn-Barntown, on the other hand, had beaten Bunclody and played a draw with St. Martin’s. As a result of that draw, they required a win to guarantee a final place and avoid a possible play-off.
Glynn-Barntown looked the sharper team and won the final group game by 2-1 to 1-0. The result meant that both teams qualified for the final and had to play each other again.
With a chance to represent their county in the national Féile on the line, both teams went at it with massive intensity from the first whistle. The tackling was hard and fast with great skill and determination shown by all participants.
Kilrush got the better start, scoring two points, and when their centre-forward and joint captain, Sadhbh Buttle, rattled the net it looked like the north Wexford girls were heading to Cork in June.
Glynn-Barntown, though, were settling into the game and by halfway in the second-half had clawed back Kilrush to leave the game tied at 1-2 apiece.
However, a converted free and a point from play, both from Kilrush full-forward Shauna MacSweeney, ensured that for a second year in a row her team will represent Wexford in the top division in the Féile which takes place on June 7-9 in Cork.
Kilrush’s joint captains, Sadhbh Buttle and Nicola Corrigan, were presented with the cup.
Kilrush: Sinéad Breen, Kayla McGannon, Anna Tomkins, Aine Sharry, Tilda Murphy, Sorcha O’Rourke, Nicola Corrigan (joint capt.), Rebecca Kavanagh, Keila Smyth, Sadhbh Buttle (joint capt.), Amber Walsh, Leanne Walsh, Shauna MacSweeney, Orla O’Rourke, Eabha Guinan, Kym Dixon, Amy Power, Kira Scully, Marita McCrea, Máire Byrne, Isabell Whitty, Katie Moorehead, Ellie May Mahon, Grace Tobin, Laura Kehoe.