Bunclody’s goals vital
BUNCLODY GLYNN-BARNTOWN 6-5 2-13 MUIREANN DOYLE was the hattrick hero as Bunclody claimed an historic Under-14 Premier camogie championship title to go with their football crown they won a week earlier.
In fact, it was corner-forward Doyle who scored the clinching goal, scooping an inch-perfect effort into the Glynn-Barntown net five minutes into stoppage time to give her club a stunning victory in Coolree on Saturday.
There were still seven nervous minutes to endure for the victors, as the Killurin-based club threw everything at them to find a way back into the clash.
However, the Bunclody defence was magnificent in that spell, repelling everything hurled their way.
Glynn-Barntown got the perfect start when Niamh Rowe fed Katie Kehoe and the talented full-forward pulled her shot past Rachel Kehoe. Aoife Mahon hit back with a point at the other end but scores from Ciara Butler and Emma Dempsey made it 1-2 to 0-1 after six minutes.
Back came Bunclody with minors from Aisling Cowman and Deirbhile Ní Cheallagh. When Mahon bludgeoned to the roof of the Glynn-Barntown net in the tenth minute her side was ahead. Things got tight for a while but the teams were level (1-4 each) after 20 minutes.
The sensational Butler was involved again, setting up Kehoe for her second goal as the Wexford District club went 2-4 to 1-4 in front. However, Bunclody finished the half the stronger.
Doyle netted with two classy finishes in the 24th and 30th minutes, while Ní Cheallaigh also found the rigging to sent Bunclody in at the break leading by seven (4-5 to 2-4).
Glynn-Barntown didn’t reach this stage by cowering in a corner though.
They were magnificant straight after the break, scoring seven points in as many minutes, with five coming from Butler and one each from Niamh Rowe and Emma Dempsey as they drew level at 2-11 to 4-5.
Ten minutes without a score was ended when Butler pointed to give Glynn-Barntown their third lead, but it would prove to be their last.
When Aoife Mahon’s shot was saved in the 51st minute, Ní Cheallaigh was on hand to turn in the rebound.
Trailing by 5-5 to 2-12, Glynn-Barntown narrowed the gap with Butler’s tenth point.
However, it was Doyle who had the final stay as her goal gave Bunclody an advantage that the gallant runners-up just couldn’t pull back.
It was an exciting end to a high-scoring final between two well-matched teams.
Bunclody: Rachel Kehoe; Naomi Kavanagh, Tracey Furlong, Jasmin Dundon (capt.); Kayla Nolan, Rachel Murphy, Rebecca Murphy; Maeve Sinnott, Yvonne Kelly; Aoife Mahon (1-2), Deirbhile Ní Cheallaigh (2-1), Lisa Kelly; Rachel Rothwell, Aisling Cowman (0-2), Muireann Doyle (3-0). Subs. - Ola Bialko for Rothwell (52), also Jacqui Kehoe, Laoise Kearney, Leah Morris, Rebecca O’Neill, Rebecca O’Connor, Catherine O’Connor, Aoife Murphy, Róisín O’Sullivan.
Glynn-Barntown: Sinéad Kirwan; Eimear Jackman, Alibeth Moran-Curran (capt.), Aisling Comiskey; Sadhbh Neville, Rachel Murphy, Aoibheann Ferriter; Cora Rowe, Emma Dempsey (0-2); Rebecca Fanning-Redmond, Ciara Butler (0-10, 6 frees, 1 ‘45), Niamh Rowe (0-1); Aoife Clarke, Katie Kehoe (2-0), Grace Roche. Subs. - Maeve Buckley for Comiskey (31), also Lisa Redmond, Chloe Long, Sophie Dawson, Caoimhe Kehoe, Lizzie Maher, Shannon Fitzharris, Cliodhna Creane, Sarah Carroll, Amy Berry, Kate Walsh, Emma Nolan, Maeve Hogan, Amy Barron, Erin Walsh, Niamh Cogley.
Referee: Aidan Foley (Shelmaliers).