Complete Down camogie round-up
August 29, 2011* The Replay of the Division 3 Championship Final between Ballyholland IIs and Darragh Cross will take place this week. All Down Camogie Club Secretaries will be notified by email of the date and venue when confirmed.
* This Tuesday, 30th August 2011, our Down Seniors play Armagh in a friendly at Pairc Esler at 7.00pm - everyone invited to attend.
* This Thursday, 1st September 2011, our Senior County team will train at Bann Road, Castlewellan, at 7.30pm and clubs are invited to take their juvenile members to the session to meet the stars of the forthcoming All Ireland Final.
* As part of its fundraising campaign to cover the costs of playing in an All Ireland the County Board is requesting clubs to consider running some sort of fundraising activities to assist them in giving the team the best possible support. If you wish to help please email County Secretary, Ursula Quinn, and advise of your event and when it is taking place.
* The County Board is appealing to any business who may want to offer commercial sponsorship to our Senior Team for its forthcoming All Ireland final. If so, please contact County Secretary, Ursula Quinn, on [email protected].
* ALL clubs are reminded that their money for the tickets for Hurls, Helmets and Handbags should be returned immediately to County Treasurer, Deirdre McGrath. Clubs are reminded that these funds were to provide for the running of our county teams and the tickets are to be paid for whether sold or not. The fundraiser was a replacement for clubs having to sponsor a league or championship as in previous years.
Gaelic Game Down Camogie U16 League Final - Thursday 25 August 2011
By Roisin Rogers
Ballygalget 10-6 Clonduff 2-4
Dundrum GAC was the setting last Thursday for the Down Camogie U16 League Final between Ballygalget and Clonduff. Both teams started off at an eager pace and Clonduff were the first to open the scoring with a well taken point from Laura Grant followed by another from Petrina Lively. However, Ballygalget were quick to reply with Beth Toner sending the sliotar to the back of the Clonduff net and then pointing from a free but Clonduff's Laura Grant pulled back another point for her side. Clonduff continued to hustle for the ball with Roisin Mulholland and Jenna Boden covering a lot of ground but their side failed to capitalise on all their hard work recording a number of wides while Ballygalget made the most of their possession of the ball and with great supply from Grace Gallagher they snatched another 2 goals, one from Geraldine Lennon and a second one from Beth Toner after a superb solo run down the pitch. This spurred Ballygalget on but some terrific saves from Clonduff's No 1, Sarah Bloomfield, kept them at bay. Both sides added another point apiece to their score sheet before the half-time whistle to leave Ballygalget leading by 7 points (3-2 to 0-4).
In the second half Ballygalget got straight down to business with Nicole Smyth, Colleen Clarke and Deirbhle Savage adding their names to the score sheet with 3 goals and 2 points in quick succession before Laura Grant and Rachel Harper pulled back a goal apiece for Clonduff but this was to be Clonduff's last scores and with the wind now firmly behind Ballygalget's sails they went on to score another 4 goals and 2 points to finish on a tally of 10-6 to 2-4 at the final whistle.
Ballygalget's captain, Nicole Smyth, was delighted to accept the Cup on behalf of her team from Down Camogie's Vice Chairman, John Keenan.
Ballygalget: Olivia Fay, Kayleigh Doran, Emma O'Connor, Lauren Donnelly, Courtney Coulter, Amey Coulter, Deirbhle Savage, Rebecca Johnston, Chloe Clarke, Grace Gallagher, Claire Hughes, Geraldine Lennon, Nicole Smyth (Capt), Beth Toner, Colleen Clarke, Erin Hagen, Rebecca Coulter, Carlene Lennon, Darcy Smyth, Grainne Clarke, Niamh Mageean Managers: Jennifer Mallon & Danny Toner
Clonduff: Sarah Bloomfield, Rebecca Mussen, Shannon O'Hagan, Niamh Brown, Ciara Tumilty, Niamh McGreevey, Clare McGilligan, Jenna Boden, Elizabeth Wilson, Cassie Fitzpatrick, Roisin Mulholland (Capt), Elizabeth Wilson, Laura Grant, Petrina Lively, Rachel Harper, Clare O'Hagan, Teresa Rooney, Caoimhe Morgan, Michaela Murphy Managers: Teresa Carr & Noreen Tumilty
FESTIVAL WEEKEND OF DOWN CAMOGIE FINALS - 27th and 28th AUGUST 2011
By Roisin Rogers
Division 1 Senior Championship Final Replay
'CRANTASTIC!'
Ballycran 0-13 Clonduff 0-12
One of the great things to watch in sport, particularly in finals, is a never say die attitude and a real will to never give up. These ingredients were in abundance in the first game and, while Ballycran picked up where they had left off, Clonduff failed to recapture the magic that has been a trademark of their season. That having been said, had they taken half of the chances they squandered it would have been their name on the trophy but all the plaudits go to Ballycran for their determination and tenacity in sticking to the task at hand and overturning last year's result to end up Down Camogie Champions of 2011.
The spirit of the team was epitomised by County star, Catherine McGourty, who time and time again lifted her team mates to a level that spurred them on to a famous victory in St Malachy's Park, Castlewellan, last Saturday.
Clonduff seemed reluctant to go at Ballycran from the start and Ballycran to their credit had obviously learnt from the first game. The lining out of Fionnuala Carr at full back was strange given her undoubted team influence and she seemed shackled in the full back line. Clonduff started at pace but found themselves having an off-day hitting too many wides early on. The game was very level but Clonduff gave away too many frees which Catherine McGourty made no mistake in converting to 8 points.
The final whistle saw a delighted Ballycran Captain, Naomi Morgan, receive the cup from Down Camogie President, Rev Dean Anthony Davies. Catherine McGourty was a deserving winner of the Player of the Match and received her trophy from Down Camogie U16 Team Selector, Francie McGrath.
Ballycran: Ciara McCarthy, Nuala Mallon, Brid McGrattan, Emma Keith, Jennie Fowler, Michelle Dorrian, Sabrina McCullough, Catherine McGourty (0-2) Mary Hughes, Nicola Torney (0-2) Naomi Morgan (Capt), Brid McGourty, Nicola Braniff (1-3), Amy McCarthy (0-4) Laura Hughes (0-2) Subs: Deirdre Savage, Niamh Birt, Fiona Hughes, Audrey Kelly, Corli Smyth, Laura Keith, Orla McCarthy, Eimear Dynes, Eimear O'Flynn, Cheryl Masterson, Paula Hughes Managers: Sean McGourty and Stephen McAree
Clonduff: Kitty Fegan, Onagh Gribben, Debra Murray, Andrea McCloskey, Leann McParlan, Fionnuala Carr (0-3), Ursula Quinn, Paula Gribben (0-1), Ciara Havern, Lisa McPolin (0-1), Orla Gribben (0-2), Lorraine McGinn (0-1), Karen Gribben (0-1), Sara Louise Carr (1-2), Orla Maginn (0-2) Subs: Grace Brown, Nicola O'Hagan, Cailin Hynes, Laurine Harper, Aoife Brown, Niomhi Murray, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Ellen Murphy, Sheenagh McConville, Natasha Boyle Manager: John Crossey Trainer: Ross Carr
Division 2 Senior Championship Final
'AN RIOCHT SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT'
An Riocht 5-4 Ballgalget 2-8
Pairc Tomas Rusiel was the venue for the Division 2 and Division 3 finals on Sunday last. The Kingdom were determined to make up for their disappointing showing against Ballyholland in last year's final and started off at a great pace to effectively rule this as a no contest at half-time when they had built up what appeared to be an insurmountable eight point lead. To Ballygalget's credit they came out in the second half determined to put on a show and this match turned into an absolute cracker.
Ballygalget pressed and tested the An Riocht defence in waves and but for a missed penalty they could well have evened things up earlier on. An Riocht, however, were not to lose this one and their No. 12, Laura Brennan, was awarded Player of the Match following her star studded performance when she netted a hat trick. There were also exceptional performances from young players Carrie Killen and Maria Higgins.
Ballygalget will be seriously disappointed at the result but are a strong team with a very bright future. An Riocht continue to develop as a team and it will be very interesting to see if they can maintain that development in the major arenas next season. What does stand out is the amount of talent in both these teams and it is hoped that this talent can be transformed onto the county scene in the coming seasons.
An Riocht: Joanna Sloan, Louise Clarke, Ashling Clarke, Marie Trainor, Clara Killen, Nicole Kelly, Aine O'Reilly, Ciara Cunningham, Noelle Fearon, Maria Higgins, Carrie Killen, Laura Brennan, Lisa Hughes, Sophie Colgan, Alana Poland, Colleen Fearon, Ann Clarke, Ruth Colgan, Shelia White, Ciara Trainor, Orla McAlinden, Orlaith McMullan, Tirena Rooney, Claire Connors, Louise Rodgers Manager: Jim Clarke
Ballygalget: Geraldine Hughes, Debbie Rotherham (Vice Capt), Alanna Savage, Grainne Dorrian, Emma O'Connor, Sarah McDevitt, Amey Coulter, Aiofe Savage, Clare Coulter, Siobhan Coulter, Grainne Coulter (Capt), Danielle Toner, Jennifer Mallon, Grainne Savage, Colleen Clarke, Donna Roddy, Carrie Fisher, Louise Clarke, Ann Flynn, Paula Roddy, Orlaith Dynes, Danielle Boyd, Sarah Finnegan, Nicola Coulter, Olivia Fay, Managers: Steven Fay & Jack Coulter
Division 3 Senior Championship Final
'BALLYHOLLAND AND DARRAGH CROSS HAVE IT ALL TO DO AGAIN'
Ballyholland 3-6 Darragh Cross 2-9
It's the season of final replays and after what was a super opening game both teams earned a replay next week (date and venue to be confirmed).
While Ballyholland were considered favourites going into this game, Darrgh Cross were not at all daunted and stuck gamely to their task especially of holding the talented Colleen Murtagh, who surely is a star of the future. She started brilliantly early on with some fine runs but when Darragh Cross switched their No 9, Maeve Mageean, onto her the supply of ball seemed to dry up.
It was a nip and tuck game and ended in a very tight encounter. Ballyholland's Ciara Tinnelly (sister of County star Karen Tinnelly) was the player of the second half and picked off were Colleen Murtagh had left off. Donna Mullan and Louise Greer were particularly prominent for Darragh Cross.
Ballyholland: Daneille McCourt, Denise Havern (Joint Capt), Nicola O'Gorman (Joint Capt), Sinead McGarry, Kelly-Louise Franks, Cliona Murtagh, Cathy Keenan, Lauren Watterson, Louise Campbell, Annemarie O'Hare, Colleen Murtagh, Ciara Tinnelly, Laura Devine, Jennifer Devine, Katrina Fegan, Eve Loughran, Monica McGivern, Orla McParland, Orla McGlogan, Rebecca Fegan, Helen Murtagh Manager: Joe Baldwin Selectors: Therese Kelland, Cathy Mullholland,
Karen Tinnelly and Caroline Poland
Darragh Cross: Una McClements, Caitriona McCulla, Donna Mullan, Judith Boyle, Sarah Jayne Miskelly, Kate McMahon, Jan Miskelly, Noreen Mageean, Meabh Mageean, Kerry McMahon, Fianait Mageean, Louise Greer, Christine Miskelly, Fiona Douglas, Deirdre McClements, Aisling McClements, Caroline Lecky, Jill Gordon, Aine Hamill, Emily Scullion, Marie Claire Canavan, Catherine McKinley, Claire McStay, Nicole McGrath (RIP) Managers: Joe McStay and Tom McMahon
ALL COUNTY U12 CAMOGIE BLITZ - 27th AUGUST 2011
St Malachy's Park, Castlewellan, was the setting for last Saturday's end of season All-County U12 Camogie Blitz. Sixteen teams took part namely Aghaderg, An Riocht, Atticall, Ballycran, Ballygalget (2 teams), Ballyholland, Bredagh, Castlewellan, Clonduff (2 teams), Kilcoo, Liatroim, Longstone, Mayobridge and Portaferry.
The teams were divided into 4 sections with each team getting 3 games. At the end of these games the winners of each section went into the Play-off Group 1, the runners up into Play-off Group 2 and so on. All the teams who took part put on an absolutely magnificent display of camogie for such a young age group and at times amazed the spectators with their brilliant 'lifting of the ball', 'soloing' and 'pucking in the air' skills. At the end of the competition An Riocht, Ballygalget IIs, Mayobridge and Portaferry took home the Slieve Binnian, Slieve Comedagh, Slievenaglogh and Slieve Bearnagh trophies and every player who took part in the competition received a medal with the Down 'Red and Black' ribbon.
Congratulations to all the players and many thanks to Castlewellan for their wonderful hospitality as always, to all those who organised and officiated at the games and to the mentors, parents and supporters for coming along and helping to make the tournament such a brilliant success. Tweet
