Carnew Emmets win thriller
Fierce battle waged by two excellent camogie teams
BRENDAN LAWRENCE
CARNEW EMMETS BRAY EMMETS 3-4 2-0
CARNEW EMMETS emerged from a tremendous battle with Bray Emmets in Ballinakill last week to be crowned under-14 ‘A’ camogie champions of Wicklow for 2019.
Almost everything was perfect about this final except the time and the conditions that these hugely talented young camogie players were expected to do battle for the highest honour they can achieve within Wicklow camogie.
A dark, wet Ballinakill on a Tuesday evening in October does no justice to these young players whatsoever. Sloppy ground, inadequate lights and lashing rain turned what should have been a truly eye-catching battle into a pure war.
Obviously, Wicklow Camogie have no say over the weather but given how much more pronounced the elements become in Ballinakill a far more suitable venue and time must be found for these flagship games.
Regardless of conditions, these two teams served up a humdinger of a battle. A first half of hectic pace and passion looked set to end scoreless such was the ferocity of the defending by both sides only for Carnew to come with a late burst to open up a 2-2 to 0-0 lead against the wind.
And that was probably the winning of this game. Had Bray Emmets had the wind in the second half they might have caught Carnew but with that 2-2 in the bank after a fiercely contested opening 30 they had it all to do to just hold Carnew for much of the second half before coming with a late burst to give the Carnew supporters plenty to worry about before the final whistle.
These two teams are superb rivals. Many of both panels contested the ‘B’ football final the previous weekend so a really entertaining and high-quality clash was expected. And that is most certainly what was delivered.
The skill levels of both teams
were exceptional. From pickups to winning rucks to control to passing and much more besides it was a pleasure to watch this game. In terms of hunger and desire it’s unlikely you’ll see a better game. It was relentless.
The opening quarter was helter skelter with Arrianna Zellar, April Harty, Grace Redmond and Katrina Smyth all shining for Bray Emmets while it was clear that Emma Kelly and Erin Callaghan were going to have a huge say in the outcome of this game for Carnew while Emma Kinsella, Emma Kinnear and Hannah Mulroe were battling ferociously to keep the Bray side from scoring.
It was at the end of that first quarter that Carnew broke the deadlock, the excellent Erin Callaghan firing over after good work from Katie Wafer.
Bray Emmets were attacking for all they were worth, but Emma Kinnear was proving ruthless in defence with Tara Doran a rock on the goalline in that opening half.
Emma Kelly fired wide for Carnew moments later and then Emma Kinsella saved what looked to be a certain goal
from the hurl of Bray’s Grace
Redmond while Katrina Smyth fired wide as well for what would have been two massive scores in the opverall context of this game.
Aoife Molloy started to dominate this game as the pace and ferocity continued unchecked and the centre forward fired a long shot that ended up in the back of the Bray net for a huge score as the rain started to fall heavily in Ballinakill.
A Bray attack was thwarted by Emma Kinnear immediately after the Carnew goal and Carnew had their second major in a matter of minutes when Molloy lashed home to the top corner.
A long ball from the impressive Ciara Wafer at centre back was collected by Aoife Molloy and the scoring star of the first half raised a white flag and the Carnew supporters roared their appreciation into the black of the Ballinakill night.
Bray Emmets needed a strong start to the second half but Erin Callaghan had other ideas and the Carnew midfielder rampaged past three Bray tackles and drove over a peach of a point to maintain the momentum for Paul Kelly’s side.
Unfortunately for Bray, it was
21 minutes into the second
half before they grabbed their opening score, a goal from their class midfielder April Harty.
This score should have given the Bray side massive belief, but they didn’t have time for that to sink in as Carnew walloped a rapid 1-1 past them, the point from the outstanding Callaghan, the goal from midfielder Emma Kelly after a ball from Aoife Molloy and it was more or less over as a contest.
However, there were a number of injuries in the second half and referee Ciaran Gough had little choice but to play at least 11 minutes of additional time. In fact, it could be said that those injuries, to various players from both sides, did Bray Emmets no favours whatsoever in terms of continuity and momentum.
A rocket of a goal from Aoibhe Traynor made it 3-4 to 2-0 in favour of Carnew Emmets and Bray battled and fought right to the very end, but it was to be Carnew’s night after a momentous struggle and the best thing about it all is that these young camogie players will clash for their clubs for many years to come and will, hopefully, unite for the county at various stages and bring Wicklow camogie to
new heights because they are
that good, they really are!
Scorers – Carnew Emmets: Aoife Molloy 2-1, Erin Callaghan 0-3, Emma Kelly 1-0.
Bray Emmers: April Harty 1-0, Aoibhe Traynor 1-0.
Tara Doran; Hannah Mulroe, Aoife Molloy, Emma Kinsella; Grace Cosgrave, Ciara Wafer, Molly Gregan; Emma Kelly, Erin Callaghan; Ciara Kennedy, Aoife Molloy, Cara Molloy; Chloe Massey Ryan, Katie Wafer, Aoife
CARNEW EMMETS:
Wafer. Subs: Faye Munroe, Julie Rawson, Hannah Lyons, Laura Mulroe, Chloe Byrne, Aoife Callaghan.
BRAY EMMETS:
Holly Kiernan; Annie Redmond, Laura Doyle, Ciara Mahony; Rachael O’Brien, Arrianna Zellar, Emily Ryan; Ailbhe Whittle, April Harty; Katrina Smyth, Aoibhe Traynor, Katie Quinn; Martha Lackey, Emma Nesbitt, Grace Redmond. Subs: Rosa Lordan, Róisín O’Connor, Saibh Smierciak, Ella Cummins.
REFEREE:
Ciaran Gough (Éire Óg Greystones)