Super Sophie shines in cracking ‘A’ decider
KILTEGAN and Knockananna lined out for the under-16 ‘A’ championship camogie final in Baltinglass in what can only be described as a thriller of a decider.
Both teams took to the field for the parade with all the young girls of both clubs marching with them. The National Anthem was sung by Katie Phelan, ending in rapturous applause for both teams.
Both sides were more than ready for this game and it was played out at an intense pace with each ball hard fought for and scores did not come easy. Knockananna held much of the possession in the first 15 minutes with dogged defending and put pressure on the Kiltegan backline but were unable to capitalise with resulting scores.
Kiltegan were first on the score board with a fine point by Rebecca Donegan followed by another by Sophie Bermingham. A clearance from the back line by Emma Byrne resulted in a block down from the tight Knockananna back line but a scramble in front of the Knockananna goal ended with Sophie Bermingham finding the net with a fine strike.
Kiltegan notched up a further two points in the half scored by Ciara Boland and Faye Corrigan. The stubborn Kiltegan defence held Knockananna scoreless until Knockananna’s Aobha Harmon slotted over a fine point followed by a free from Eimear O’Sullivan and Kiltegan led 1-4 to 0-2 at half-time.
The teams emerged for the second half with passion to the fore and Knockananna held much of the possession again in the first ten. This was always going to be a tough battle between neighbouring clubs and spectators were not disappointed with end-to-end camogie on display.
Alice Mulhall fulfilled her captain’s role for Knockananna with a leader’s display in defending from centre back and Eimer Mutton pressed forward with constant ball into the Kiltegan forward line. This resulted in adding a further three points to their tally from Eimear O’Sullivan, Roisin Byrne and Eimer Mutton.
Kiltegan midfielders Faye Corrigan and Amber House delivered excellent ball into the passionate Kiltegan forwards, who combined well, and Sophie Bermingham was to add a further four points to her display of 1-5, despite being double marked throughout the game.
Neither team wanted to lose this final and it certainly lived up to a great game of camogie from both sides. The final whistle blew with the score 1-8 to 0-5 and Kiltegan were crowned under-16 ‘A’ Wicklow camogie champions for the first time since 2003. The composed Kiltegan captain Hope Tallon accepted the cup on behalf of her team.
KILTEGAN: Robyn Twyford Troy, Leah Donegan, Moya Cremin, Emma Byrne, Miriam O’ Keefe, Hope Tallon (Captain), Leah Furlong, Amber House, Faye Corrigan(0-1), Ciara Boland(-0-1), Sophie Bermingham (1-5) , Lauren Kavanagh, Ailbhe Maguire, Rebecca Donegan (0-1), Kristan Mallin, Roisin Timmins, Sarah Keane. Mentors: Paula Boland and Tom Cremin
KNOCKANANNA :Alice Mulhall(Captain), Eimer Mutton (0-1), Jane Keogh, Eimear Furlong, Roisin Byrne (0-1), Tara Mc Donald, Siobhan Mulhall, Grace Mulhall, Eimear O’Sullivan )0-2), Jodi Murphy, Aobha Harmon (0-1), Zoe Katus, Kayla Tighe, Megan Whelan, Molly O’Dare, Eimear Breslin, Emily Ging, Ciara Byrne, Aishling Fleming. Mentors: Loretta Mutton and Tommy McDonald