St. Gall’s collect first Camogie title

U14C Camogie Championship final

St. Gall’s 4-9 Cargin 1-1

St Gall’s CLG are famed for their successes on the football pitch but yesterday was the turn of their camogie team to record a wee bit of history as they won the Antrim C camogie championship.

Having lost out in the football final in June, the St Galls girls faced Cargin determined that lightening wouldn’t strike twice at Dunsilly. From the very first whistle, the Milltown side thundered into every challenge and they raced into an early lead thanks to a point from Gemma Rose Mullan and an Aoife Hughes goal.

Cargin responded quickly with a goal of their own from Caoimhe McCann but St Galls upped the ante with further points from Mullan and a Jessica Chapman goal. Cargin attempted to battle their way back into the game but the St Galls back line stood firm.

The final score of the opening half fell to St Galls as half forward, Caragh Flynn, found the net through a crowded goalmouth to give the West Belfast girls a nine point lead at the break.

Cargin started the second half with renewed vigour but despite Caoimhe McErlains strength, skill and agility in the middle of the field, they were unable to find the space to create an opening due to the tenacity of the St Galls girls tackling.

Gemma Mullan continued to knock over some fantastic long range points and when Aoife Hughes found the net for the second time, it was clear that the trophy would travelling down the M2 with the girls in blue.

St Gall’s showed strength and skill and despite the best efforts of Aoife

ODonnell in the full backline, Caoimhe McErlain in the middle and Caoimhe McCann in the forward line, the result and the cup would go to the Milltown girls

Miah Boyd showed great strength and skill in defence but St Galls were able to use their own strength to ensure they kept themselves in front throughout.

Roísín Bradley was excellent under the high ball and battled hard to try and clear her lines and her strong puc-outs was a feature of the game.

The referee’s full time whistle signalled a surge of blue and white onto the pitch as St Galls enjoyed the first ever camogie title in the club’s 113 year history. Camogie was only introduced to St Galls two years ago so winning a county title at such an early stage is a phenomenal achievement and one that is definitely worth celebrating.