Emma can’t be stopped
BLACKWATER 4-9 C’TOWN-L MELLOWS 3-3
EMMA CULLEN was in unstoppable form as she fired Blackwater to victory over Castletown-Liam Mellows in the Under-14 camogie Roinn 2B championship final in Monageer.
This was a hugely entertaining affair with the bare minimum separating the sides going into the final quarter, and neither willing to give an inch in search of victory.
But, when a match-winner was needed, Blackwater found theirs in Emma Cullen who struck a remarkable 2-3 in the closing stages of the game to ensure her side took the cup home.
The eventual winners got off to a flying start with a goal from Nicole Power and two quick points from Emma Cullen in the opening minutes.
They weren’t comfortable for too long however, as Aoibhinn Ivory hit the net for Castletown-Liam Mellows minutes later.
The game’s chief scorers, Emma Cullen and Martha Kavanagh, then traded points, before Kavanagh put her side in front with a goal from a long-range free midway through the half.
Cullen responded quickly with two points while also seeing a goal chance kept out by Jo Kinsella, before she traded scores with Kavanagh again to leave the sides level at the break.
It was Castletown-Liam Mellows’ turn for a bright start this time as Ivory hit her second goal immediately after the resumption.
Blackwater now had a lot of work to do but that they did, with Clodagh Whelan and Laura McGuinness excellent in defence and Emma Cullen continuing to find the range.
After trading scores once more with Kavanagh, there was only two between them going into the final quarter.
It was at this juncture that Cullen really turned on the style, showing persistence to put her side ahead with a goal through sheer hard work, before adding two points and another excellently-placed goal sealing victory for her side.
This was much to the delight of the Blackwater contingent as they watched their captain, Laura McGuinness, lift the cup in triumph.
Blackwater: Erin O’Brien; Chloe Murphy, Laura McGuinness; Aoibhinn Roche, Clodagh Whelan; Vanessa Byrne, Laura Doyle, Isabella Cash; Nicole Power (1-0), Lauren Fowle; Emma Cullen (3-8, 1-2 ‘45s, 0-2 frees), Shauna Byrne. Subs. - Rebecca Power for Fowle, also Rachel Leacy, Eimear Doyle, Gwen Flanagan, Elizabeth Whelan, Ella O’Brien.
Castletown-Liam Mellows: Jo Kinsella; Jessica Murphy, Grace Furlong; Alex Wortman, Caroline McGarry; Sophie Ivanoff, Martha Kavanagh (1-3, 1-2 frees, 0-1 ’45), Theodora Lande; Shauna Goland, Deirdre Hoey; Florence Clopin, Sofia Church. Subs. - Cáit Cregan, Usha Daly-O’Toole, Grace Gleeson, Grace Ivanoff, Priya Daly-O’Toole.
Referee: Martin Kenny (Kilrush).