Down Camogie Division 3 Championship Final - 22 August 2010 
Ballela 6-11  Bredagh  2-4 
As predicted it was the favourites, Ballela, who were comfortable winners in this Division 3 Championship Final last Sunday in St Malachy's Park, Castlewellan.  Their defensive unit was very strong and their midfielders, Mary O'Hare and Ciara McCusker, worked tirelessly throughout the game. The star of Ballela's forward line was, without a doubt, Ciara Magee, who scored some fantastic goals and points from all angles of the pitch.   Although perhaps not depicted in the final score line of the game, Bredagh's goal keeper, Mairead McCartan, was very impressive making some vital saves early in the game to keep Bredagh in with a shout.  Bredagh, who are in the process of building their team, will value the experience of this final and will hope to come back stronger next year to contest this competition.  Ballela now go forward to represent Down in the Ulster Junior Club Championship (Bridie McMenamin Shield) when they play the Donegal Champions on 18th September. 
Ballela Team:  Helen Doyle, Catherine O'Hare, Mary McClory, Ciara Kearns, Aisling Pyres, Fiona O'Neill, Ciara McConville, Ciara McCusker (Capt), Mary O'Hare, Aoibhne O'Neill, Sinead McAvoy, Anna Doran, Lisa McCusker, Ciara Magee, Orla Magee, Joanne O'Hare, Kirsty Kearns, Cushula McNeill, Lisa Devlin, Aine Strain.  Manager:  Martin McCusker 
Bredagh Team:  Mairead McCartan, Maeve Tohill, Christina Brennan, Emma Holland, Róisín McAlister, Caroline Donnelly, Anne Devlin, Martina Doyle, Emer Hinphey, Gemma Mullen, Aine Brolly, Catherine Rocks, Clare McKenna, Rosie Watson, Anna Lyttle, Bridgid Morgan, Clare Boyd, Emer Murtagh, Grainne McCaughan, Katie Campbell, Louise Friel, Megan Deery, Paula McKay, Rebecca Hollywood, Bernie Deighan, Deirdre Canavan, Julia Hvitlock, Niamh O'Connor, Roisin Hannon, Stephanie Lagan 
 
 
 
Down Camogie Division 4 Championship Final - 22 August 2010 
Kilcoo  2-7   Dromara  2-5 
"Magpies Crowned Champions Amid Controversy" 
The Louth curse raised its ugly head at Dunavil on Sunday when Kilcoo narrowly defeated a very gallant Dromara team by just two points in this keenly contested Division 4 final.  Both teams were looking to bridge large gaps since their last victory in the competition with Dromara last winning it in 1993 and Kilcoo last appearing in the final in 2004.  This game in truth had everything to keep the large crowd on the edge of their seats and played in the impeccable surrounds in the An Riocht club and in ideal conditions it was not long before the game exploded into life with a goal after 6 minutes from Dromara`s Catriona McNeill.  Kilcoo (wearing the Down colours having lost the toss to play in their customary black and white) in truth found it extremely hard to come to grips with the pace of the game and the speed of the ball.  However, despite this they were rewarded in the 7th minute with a well taken point from Colleen Grant.  Dromara were to continue the pressure and Catriona McNeill recorded another point after 10 minutes.  Kilcoo continued to press and delighted their huge support when in the 12th minute a loose ball was picked up by Michelle McClean who rifled the ball to the net to leave things level.  Dromara then started to dominate and four scores before half time left them well in control - Catriona McNeill first had a pile-driver of a goal followed by a point from Therese McNeill.  A further goal from Megan Smyth and a point from Catriona McNeill left the half time score Dromara 3-3 (12)  Kilcoo 1-1 (4).  However, this is when the controversy kicked off.  The referee instructed the scoreboard to be changed to read Dromara 2-4 (10) Kilcoo 1-1 (4). There was a stunned silence throughout the ground which seemed to unsettle Dromara in the second half. Kilcoo, however, seemed to be fired by the circumstances and took off at pace. A 35th minute goal from Cathy Grant reduced the deficit but following a further Kilcoo wide Dromara recorded a further point from Catriona McNeill in the 37th minute which should have steadied Dromara. This was as good as it was to get for them, however, as Kilcoo launched a relentless wave of attacks resulting in 4 unanswered points from player of the game, Colleen Grant. The match was well placed for a replay but this is when Michelle Kane, who had been threatening something special all day, came into play with two final points to kill off the Dromara challenge.  This game had everything - intense skill and determination, no measure of controversy but also great courage and restraint. Both teams should be extremely proud of the showpiece they put on.  Kilcoo were worthy winners and no doubt Dromara will have their day. The County Manager would do well to look at this Division for talent. Colleen Grant and Anne Devlin for Kilcoo were in exceptional form as were the McNeill girls - Catriona and Therese for Dromara. 
Kilcoo Team (sponsored by the Theirafurth Inn):  Siobhan McEvoy, Roseanne Morgan, Michelle McClean (1-0), Elaine Burns (Capt), Donna Rogan, Colleen Grant (0-5), Anne Devlin, Micaela Devlin, Mary Clare Grant, Cathy Grant, Carly McClean, Michelle Kane (1-2), Annemarie McAneaney, Charlene O'Hare, Ionagh McEvoy, Caitlin Carlin, Mary Harper, Rosie Cleversley.  Managers Annemarie McAneaney, Eileen Grant, Aislinn Mackin 
Dromara Team: Tracey O Reilly, Elaine McNeill, Fionnula Ward, Aisling McMullan, Anita Burns, Mairead Hardy, Emma McNeill (Capt), Claire McNeill, Therese McNeill, Catriona McNeill, Kerrie Louise Fitzsimmons, Megan Smyth, Ailish Doherty, Roisin McNeill, Paula McAnulty, Lisa Davey, Ciara Hardy, Claire McGrillan, Carolyn Smyth, Aisling McElroy, Suzanne Doyle.  Managers: Ollie Egan, Conor Burns 
 
 
Down Camogie U12 League Final - Saturday 21 August 2010 
Portaferry 6-3  Warrenpoint 0-0 
This U12 League Final Play Off got off to a great start with both teams keenly contesting the game and it was ten minutes before Portaferry opened the scoring.  This settled the U12 Championship winners and they continued to add to the scoreboard whilst displaying some fantastic camogie skills against a young and inexperienced Warrenpoint side.  However, Warrenpoint's full back, Caoimhe Byrne, did make it difficult for Portaferry's forward line by blocking and clearing a lot of the ball but Portaferry's enthusiasm and determination prevailed to make them worthy winners of the Shield and Gold Medals at the final whistle. Tweet

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