Minor ‘C’ Camogie Championship final
Cargin 3-9 St. Enda’s 3-5
A player of the match display from mid-fielder, Caoimhe McErlain powered Erin’s own, Cargin to victory over St. Enda’s in a hard fought Minor C Championship final at Slemish Park, Ballymena on Friday night.
It was the Glengormley side that looked the more likely winners in an opening half where they edged the exchanges and looked in a strong position when a Cliona McGinley shot dipped to the net to give them a 2-4 to 0-6 lead as Lee O’Reilly sounded his half time whistle.
It was the sweet striking McErlain who kept the Toome girls in contention with half a dozen well struck frees but they still looked in a bit of trouble with Roise McQuillan’s opening goal for the Hightown girls, a point from the same player and three from corner forward, Aoibh Nic Coille giving them a four point lead at the break.
The heavens had opened about ten minutes before half time and the rain continued to fall as the second half got under way as an Orla Johnston goal in the opening minute and another somewhat fortuitous effort from Roisin Quinn saw Cargin move 2 ahead with only 5 minutes of the new half gone.
A superb point from Orlaith Johnston increased that lead to three and then Mia Carlin in the St. Enda’s goals pulled off a great save as the girls in white and green threatened to overrun they’re opponents.
Cargin were edging the exchanges and another superb point from Caoimhe McErlain, her first of the second half and 7th of the evening moved them four ahead with 12 minutes remaining and they looked to be taking control.
St. Enda’s had other ideas however and came back immediately with a goal from the excellent Aoibh Nic Coille before substitute Kila Sheehy had her shot for goal deflected over to level the contest.
It looked anybody’s game at this stage but it was Cargin who finished the stronger with Caoimhe McErlain sending over a long range point to give them back the lead with 8 minutes remaining.
Aoibh Nic Coille who led the St. Enda’s challenge
McErlain had been the driving force for Erin’s Own and she enjoyed a bit of fortune when her long range free took a deflection and ended in the St. Enda’s net.
That goal restored Cargin’s four point advantage and would be the final score of the contest with the Erin’s Own defence repelling a late onslaught from the Glengormley girls.
Sinead O’Kane, the Camogie Board secretary presented the Minor C Cup to Cargin’s joint captains, Roisin Quinn and Orlaith Johnston and commended both sides for their part in a very competitive and entertaining game of camogie in difficult conditions.
Cargin: 1 Lucia Sidebottom, 2 Holly McErlane, 3 Tara McLarnon, 4 Holly may Graham, 5 Grace O’Boyle, 6 Aimee Johnston, 7 Aoife O’Boyle, 8 Annie Griffin, 9 Caoimhe McErlain, 10 Aoibh O’Boyle, 11 Roisin Quinn, 12 Elena Sidebottom, 13 Fiadh O’Boyle, 14 Orlaith Johnston, 15 Darcie Murray.
St. Enda’s: 1 Mia Carlin, 2 Keeley Lawlor, 3 Cara Lyttle, 4 Tara Rodgers, 5 Orla Graham, 6 Gabriella McLarnon, 7 Hannah McMillan, 8 Niamh Mullan, 9 Cliona McGinley, 10 Roise McQuillan, 11 Aine McCavana, 12 Aoife Downey, 13 Aoibh Nic Coille, 14 Jane Martin, 15 Sarah O’Boyle
Subs: Kila Sheehy for Sarah O’Boyle
Referee: Lee O’Reilly
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