The future is bright
Aughrim/Annacurra topple Knockananna in ‘A’ decider
SOME weeks ago, Aughrim and Annacurra played out a thrilling draw and replay in the Junior camogie final.
On Saturday last, October 20, the under-14 players of both clubs combined to lift the Under-14 ‘A’ camogie championship by overcoming a gallant Knockananna side in an entertaining and well contested final played on a near perfect hurling sod at Pearse’s Park, Arklow.
The game got off to a lively start with the Aughrim/Annacurra combination pressing straight from the throw in.
They got the start they wanted when Aoife Campbell had the ball in the Knockananna net after two minutes.
However, the Knockananna defence tightened up considerably after that and Tara McDonald at full back proved difficult to pass.
After five minutes the game was level when Knockananna full forward Zoe Katus gained possession close to goal and palmed the ball to the net.
Knockananna had settled by now and centre back Eimear Breslin and wing back Kayla Tighe were winning a lot of ball and pushing forward with midfielders Eimear O’Sullivan and Aobha Harmon.
However, the Knockananna girls did not enjoy the best of luck with their free taking. A number of scorable frees came to nought in the first half and this proved costly over the hour.
In the sixteenth minute the Annacurra/Aughrim girls scored their second goal. Hannah Doyle gained possession about 20 metres out, turned and soloed towards goal before shooting home from about ten metres out. There was no further score in that first half leaving the score at 2-0 to 1-0 in favour of Annacurra/Aughrim.
The second half saw the combined team get on top for long periods. Laci Shannon was playing well at full back, Saibh Byrne came into her own at centre back and the midfielder partnership of Aoife Connolly and Laura Doyle were dominant.
Connolly pointed frees in the fourth, 12th and 20th minute to leave two goals between the sides Knockananna came back strongly in the final ten minutes putting the Annacurra/Aughrim defence under pressure.
A number of frees were conceded and the goalmouth had a number of close shaves. One of those frees taken by Eimear O’Sullivan landed on the crossbar and the defence were glad to see it hop over for a point.
The game had entered time added on when, in a goalmouth scramble, substitute Aoife Stafford scored goal number three for the Annacurra/Aughrim side to leave them comfortable winners in the end on a score of 3-3 to 1-1.
After the game, the Under-14 ‘A’ Camogie Championship trophy was presented on behalf of Wicklow Co Camogie Board by Serge Goetelen to joint captains Hannah Doyle and Shauna O’Shea.
Scorers - Annacurra/Aughrim: Aoife Campbell, Hannah Doyle and Aoife Stafford 1-0 each, Aoife Connolly 0-3.
Knockananna - Zoe Katus 1-0, Eimear O’Sullivan 0-1.
Aughrim/Annacurra: Holly Byrne; Kirsty Byrne, Laci Shannon, Chloe Dore: Shauna Rochford, Saibh Byrne, Ciara O’Brien; Aoife Connolly, Laura Doyle; Chloe Cullen, Shauna O’Shea, Alice Kirwan; Aoife Campbell, Hannah Doyle, Juliette Ni Chonail. Subs: Aoife Stafford and Rebecca McCarthy.
Knockananna: Aine McDonald; Rosemary Keating, Tara McDonald, Tara Murphy; Kayla Tighe, Eimear Breslin, Molly Adare; Erin O’Sullivan, Aobha Harmon; Aisling Fleming, Roisin Byrne, Grace Mulhall; Emily Ging, Zoe Katus, Ciara Byrne.
Referee: Catherine Boggan