Ballinacor on fire!
Senior ‘B’ crown in the bag after victory over Glenealy
BALLINACOR GLENEALY 4-08 2-11
BALLINACOR emerged victorious over Glenealy last Tuesday evening, in the battle for the Wicklow Senior ‘B’ camogie championship cup, played under lights in the GAA Centre of Excellence in Ballinakill.
This game was a ferocious battle of wills with back and forth scores from both teams.
Laura Manley was Ballinacor’s most consistent threat in Glenealy’s snappy forward line as she scored five points in the first half, three of which were from frees.
Katie Bouchier and April Dickenson also struck a point each over the Ballinacor bar.
Ballinacor’s goalkeeper and captain, Bernie Byrne, put on a tremendous performance saving two fast balls and cleared the ball out of the danger zone.
The Ballinacor women responded to Glenealy with Caitlin Olohan, Niki Farrell and Michelle MacGearailt scoring a point each to counteract Glenealy scores. Ten minutes in, Christine Carter slotted a point between the bars from a free.
The Glenealy defence line was in trouble again when imposing Michelle MacGearailt raced in on the Glenealy goal, and despite efforts to stop her, MacGearailt handpassed the ball into the net with ease, equalising the score.
Glenealy were rattled and then pucked a series of wides – three in total. Aoife McGrath, Ballinacor’s mid fielder, responded with a point to edge Ballinacor ahead again, leading the game by a point at half-time.
The half-time score saw Ballinacor leading Glenealy by 1-05 to 0-07.
The opening 10 minutes of the second half were action packed. Glenealy’s Laura Manley contributed two points from frees.
However, Ballinacor’s centre back, Christine Carter, cancelled out Manley’s scores by dropping her own free over the Glenealy bar.
Katie Bouchier broke through the Ballinacor defence to slip a ball passed Bernie Byrne and into the net.
Following this, there was no doubt Bouchier meant business when she later produced another point from play. Erynn O’Brien chipped in with a point to add to the overall score for Glenealy in the second half.
However, the Ballinacor women chose to hit back and through their efforts and momentum, answered the challenge with their own goals - four in total and two points scored by Carmel Nolan.
Ballinacor’s Caitlin Olohan made a run through the heart of the Glenealy defence line, before unleashing a goal-bound drive which Glenealy’s goalkeeper, Jessica Driver, found impossible to deflect.
They weren’t alone in their scoring efforts as lethal corner-forward Katie Mundow contributed handsomely to the score with two magnificently executed goals in this game.
When Glenealy scored their goal in the last ten minutes, the game looked like it was swinging in their favour.
However, the Ballinacor women dug deep and showed massive strength and determination not to give up.
Both teams had matched each other point for point throughout but Ballinacor powered through and came out on top.
Katie Mundow scored her last goal of the year with eight minutes remaining on the clock and Ballinacor cruised into a three point lead with the final score being 4-08 to 2-11.
Ballinacor: Bernie Byrne, Shannon Doyle, Christine Carter, Caitlin Olohan, Aoife McGrath, Katie Mundow, Michelle MacGearailt, Maureen Dowling, Carmel Nolan, Niki Farrell, Siobhán Toomey, Martina O’Kearney Flynn, Áine Burke, Lauren Burke, Josie Simpson, Dara Byrne, Noelle Ward, Danielle Burke, Helen McNulty, Tanya Carter, Niamh Ni Cholmain, Megan O’Doherty Roche, Shelia Holt and Natalie Farrell.
Glenealy: Jessica Driver, Aimee Beale, Jade O’Connor, Ailbhe Dowling, Kasey Doyle, Niamh O’Brien, Laura Manley, Katie Boucher, Ella Neary, Erynn O’Brien, Lisa Hogan, Aoife Weir, Megan Kennedy, Zoe Devlin, April Dickenson, Lottie Cullen, Katie O’Brien, Nicole Hughes, Emma Cruise, Aoibheann O’Neill, Lucy Cullen
Referee: Gerry McGough