Charleville fail to Ballyhea in county final

BALLYHEA outplayed Charleville on a score line of 2-7 to 0-5 to capture the Cork County Junior ‘B’ camogie title for the second time in its history last week.

The game, played at Blarney, was a tense encounter with scores hard to come by in a very tight first half.

Ballyhea led at the break by one point, 4 to 3, after playing with a very strong wind. Karen O’Shaughnessy, the sole survivor from the last Ballyhea victory in 2004, scored two points from frees in this half.

It was evident that this lead would not be enough, but showing great resilience and led by the excellent player of the match Elaine Crowley, Ballyhea surged forward and their crucial first goal came when Sarah O’Keeffe reacted quickest to Karen O’Leary’s long delivery to find the Charleville net and put Ballyhea five points ahead.

Charleville, though, kept plugging away and Chloe Keogh did well to deny Fiona Nelligan. Ballyhea added a second goal deep in injury time when Mairead Shinnick finished to the net after good work by Aine O’Shea.

After the game Niamh Killeen was presented with the county cup and Elaine Crowley was nominated Player of the Match. Ballyhea now advance to play in the junior ‘A’ grade in 2017.

The Charleville girls acquitted themselves well but came up short on the day against the Ballyhea opposition. On their path to the final the Charleville girls overcame the challenges of St. Catherine’s, Inniscarra, Cobh, Glen Rovers and Ballinascarthy and gained valuable experience which will stand them in good stead for the future.

Ballyhea team: Chloe Keogh, Rachel O’Connor, Mary Claire Carroll, Niamh Killeen, Annie Cronin, Roisin Killeen, Moira Fitzgibbon, Kate Kilcommins, Elaine Crowley (0-2), Chloe Dundon (0-2), Karen O’Shaughnessy (0-2 from frees), Norma Healy, Sarah O’Keeffe (1-0), Rachel Harty (0-1), Mairead Shinnick (1-0), Subs: Aine O’Shea (used), Ann Marie Rea , Julie Curtin.

Charleville: Alit Nelligan, Alex O’Keeffe, Mairead Dennehy, Deirdre Dennehy, Mairead O’Sullivan, Leanne O’Regan, Trish Kerins, Maria Coughlan, Danielle Nash, Natalie O’Brien, Tracy Collins, Claudia Hudner, Meabhdh Buckley, Sophie Hudner, Caitlin Reynolds, Fiona Nelligan, Michelle Jones, Eilis Moloney, Kathleen Dore, Caitlin Sheehan.