Danske Bank Ulster Colleges Camogie – Corn Eimhear Final

Cross & Passion Ballycastle 9-14 St Catherine’s Armagh 4-7

By Seamus McAleenan

Cross & Passion College won their third Corn Eimhear title in three years when they saw the challenge of St Catherine’s Armagh in a high scoring final in Ballinderry. The Ballycastle college dominated the opening 20 minutes and appeared to be in cruise control when they led by thirteen points at 4-6 to 1-2, but the Armagh girls produced a brilliant fightback as they hit 2-4 without reply to close the gap to just three at the break.

CPC appeared to be in a spot of bother, so dominant were the Armagh girls in that last ten minutes of the opening half, but they regrouped at half time and went out and dominated the second half to complete a memorable 3-in-a-row of titles. Team leaders, Ciara Laverty in defence, Katie Laverty at midfield and Riana McBride up front took over for the second half and put the game out of Armagh’s reach.

In the end of the day, the winners had seven players, including sharp substitute Clodagh O’Kane, who were able to hit the target more than once, while St Catherine’s overly depended on Caoimhe Donnelly and Casey Mullen for their scores. Donnelly and Mullan were magnificent for St Catherines and caused the CPC defence a world of problems, especially in the opening half.

CPC’s Riana McBride finished with a personal tally of 3-7, in a player of the match performance, her first goal coming after just three minutes in response to an opening free from Caoimhe Donnelly.

Ballycastle had gone 1-4 to 0-1 ahead by the 10^th minute when Casey Mullen stabbed home a goal for Armagh. However Nuala Devlin skilfully set up McBride for her second a couple of minutes later and further goals from Alicia Butler and a brilliant strike from Orlagh Laverty left Ballycastle 13 points ahead and seemingly in control.

Then Caoimhe Donnelly hit back with a goal direct from a free and when Ciara O’Kane finished off another in the 24^th minute, it brought the game back to life and Armagh finished the half strongly with the gap now just a goal.

Riana McBride set the tone for the second half with an early point which was followed by goals for Alicia Butler and then McBride direct from a free.

Armagh continued to work hard in search of scores, but Ballycastle were clinical on the break and further goals followed for sub Clodagh O’Kane (2) and Aine Magill.

The excellent Caoimhe Donnelly goaled direct from a free in the 59^th minute but Riana McBride fittingly finished the scoring with a super point from play, to seal the win and their third Ulster on the trot.

CPC : B Ellis, C McArthur, M McGarry, E Kyle, F Toner, C Laverty, C Hegarty, K Laverty, E McShane, N Devlin 0-2, A Lynn 0-2, A Magill 1-2, A Butler 2-0, R McBride 3-7, 1-3 frees, O Laverty 1-1

Subs : C O’Kane 2-0 for F Toner (23), C Hamilton for E Kyle (55), S McKillop for A Butler (55).

St Catherine’s : C Kelly, S Nugent, S Gildernew, C Conlon, S McCreesh, E Lavery, A McCreesh, O O’Kane, F Fitzpatrick, H Duffy, C Donnelly 2-4, 2-3 frees, B McClelland, C O’Kane 1-0, C Mullen 1-2, M Horsfield

Subs : A McMahon for C Mullen (50),

CPC : Becky Ellis, Cassie McArthur, Megan McGarry, Erin Kyle, Fionnuala Toner, Ciara Laverty, Caitlin Hegarty, Katie Laverty, Enya McShane, Nuala Devlin 0-2, Annie Lynn 0-2, Aine Magill 1-2, Alishia Butler 2-0, Riana McBride 3-7, 1-3 frees, Orlagh Laverty 1-1

Subs : Clodagh O’Kane 2-0 for F Toner (23), Christina Hamilton for E Kyle (55), Shauna McKillop for A Butler (55), Brid Magill, Bronagh Magill, Naomi Williams, Shauna Huey, Aoife McCurry, Grainne O’Neill, Nuala McCaughan, Maillie Donnelly, Fionnuala Kelly.

St Catherine’s : Chloe Kelly, Sarah Nugent, Shannon Gildernew, Clara Conlon, Sara McCreesh, Ellen Lavery, Alanna McCreesh, Orla O’Kane, Faye Fitzpatrick, Hannah Duffy, Caoimhe Donnelly 2-4, 2-3 frees, Brodie McClelland, Clara O’Kane 1-0, Casey Mullen 1-2, Morgan Horsfield

Subs : Ashlinn McMahon for C Mullen (50), Emily McKernan, Aiveen Grew, Alannah Webster, Alice Convie, Stephanie Fox, Rosie Donnelly

Pics by Dylan McIlwaine