Back in 1994 Dunloy camogs ended a 33 year wait when they won thier first senior championshiip title since 1961 by beating Cushendall in the final in Glenravel. They went on to collect the club’s first Ulster title by beating Down champions Leitrim Fontenoys in the final, the Antrim champions having home advantage on the day. This is the report and pictures I did at the time for the Ballymoney Times. Just a little note for the younger people reading this and looking at the photos. Camogie was played 12 a side in those days. John McIlwaine.
(Many thanks to Paul McLean and Jimmy Gaston for their assistance with this)
Dunloy come good in second half
Dunloy Cuchullian’s 3-11 Leitrim Fontenoy’s 0-12
Dunloy won their first Ulster Club Camogie title on Saturday when they came from behind to beat Down champions, Leitrim, in a thrilling final played in damp and difficult conditions at Pearse Park, Dunloy.
For 20 minutes of this fiercely contested game Dunloy played second fiddle to a very impressive Leitrim side who opened a 0-8 to 0-2 lead. Their chances of that first Ulster crown looked unlikely but they steadied to improve their position by half time before getting on top in the second half when a late scoring flurry saw them safely home.
Taken aback
Dunloy seemed taken aback by just how good their opponents were during the opening quarter as the Down girls played some great camogie. They opened their scoring in the third minute when Maureen O’Higgins sent over a free and though Dunloy levelled through Majella McMullan soon afterwards, they dominated the next 15 minutes when they hit five points without reply.
Maureen McAleenan, who had a brilliant game for the Down champions, restored Leitrim’s leads. Maureen O’Higgins knocked over two quick points before McAleenan added two more to put her team 0-06 to 0-01 ahead.
Elaine Dowds kept Dunloy in touch with a well struck point from play, but Leitrim regained the initiative with two more points from McAleenan, one a real beauty from beyond midfield.
Dug deep
Six points adrift Dunloy appeared to be in trouble. The fluency of which had been a trademark of their play the past season seemed to have deserted them but to their credit they dug seep to raise their game when it was really needed.
Two points form frees from Ann McKee brought them to within four points by the twenty-fifth minute. Oonagh Elliott appeared to have the breakthrough when she broke away to knock the ball into the net, but referee Margret Brolly had already blown for a free and the goal was cancelled.
Sinead McMullan pointed the resultant free to bring the Antrim champions to within three and though Monica McCartan made it back to four again Anne McKee hit an injury time point to leave Dunloy 0-09 to 0-06 in arrears at half time.
Fiercely determined
The determination shown by both teams in a fiercely contested second half had to be seen to be believed. The sluggishness that Dunloy had shown in the early stages of the first half was now gone and with the breeze behind them they made their bid for victory.
Anne McKee gave an early boost with a point, but Leitrim responded with two more points from the influential Maureen McAleenan.
Dunloy get the break
As with so many closely contested games the break of the ball can so often decide matters and in this case it was Dunloy who got the break when an Anne McKee side-line found its way through a crowded goal mouth into the net.
Majella McMullan brough Dunloy back on terms by the forty fifth minute with a well taken point from play but Leitrim retook the lead when Nuala Magee struck over a great free two minutes later.
That was to be the Down teams last score however as Dunloy’s greater all-round ability started to tell. Oonagh Elliott brought them level again ten minutes from time and less than a minute later Sinead McMullan put them front when she pointed a 30’.
A McMullan free was blocked down soon afterwards and Elaine Dowds reacted quickest to knock home Dunloy’s second goal and four minutes from time Brenda Kearns made it three when her well placed shot went under the crossbar.
It was all Dunloy now and Sinead McMullan ended the scoring in the final minute when she again from the target from a 30 to leave her team eight clear at the end.
Sally McGrath played well in nets while in defence Sinead McMullan, Joan Elliott and Donna Brogan were best.
After a slow start midfield settle down well to play well while in the forwards Majella McMullan, Elaine Dowds and Oonagh Elliot were best.
For Leitrim, Nuala Magee was outstanding in defence well supported by Donna Greenan and Monica McCartan. Bernie Kelly played well at midfield while Maureen McAleenan was superb up front. Full forward Maureen O’Higgins also played well.
Dunloy
Sally McGrath, Sinead McMullan (0-3), Joan Elliott, Deidre Cunning, Donna Brogan, Helen McMullan, Anne McKee (1-4), Christine McCamphill, Majella McMullan (0-2), Brenda Kearns (1-0), Elaine Dowds (1-1), Oonagh Elliott (0-1)
Leitrim
Lil Cunningham, Donna Greenan, Monica McCartan (0-1), Nuala Magee (0-1), Teresa Burns, Bernie Kelly, Monica Rooney, Majella Murray, Rosaleen Cunningham, Maureen McAleenan (0-7), Grainne McCrickard, Maureen O’Higgins (0-3). Subs – Bernie Gallagher for T Burns, Anne Marie Kennedy for R Cunningham
Referee – Margaret Brolly (Derry)
