Junior B Camogie Championship final
All Saints 3-7 St. Gall’s 2-4
All Saints produced a strong second half performance to overcome the spirited challenge of St. Gall’s in a keenly contested Junior B Camogie final in Rasharkin on Sunday afternoon.
The Ballymena girls went into this one as firm favourites, having already claimed the league title which included a comprehensive win over today’s opponents at Milltown.
The Falls Road side had other ideas however and produced a spirited performance that at one stage threatened an upset but two quick-fire goals from Johanna McKeown put the Ballymena side back in control.
A smart switch by the All Saints management saw them withdraw Sianeese Maybin from attack to a sweeping role and the talented Maybin produced a masterful class to turn everything that came her way.
Johnny Sayers’ side made an impressive start at Dreen and raced into a 1-1 to 0-0 lead after 9 minutes with Ciara Devine pointing and Anna O’Kane’s low shot deceiving St. Gall’s keeper, Sorcha De Bhail.
It took St. Gall’s a while to get up to the pace of the game but Niamh McAllister got them off the mark with an excellent point in the 11th minute before Sianeese Maybin replied with a similar effort at the other end after being set up by Keely O’Mullan.
The Milltown Row side were beginning to enjoy a bit of success and responded with a points from Gemma Rose Mullan and Caitriona Ni Broichain and a goal from Mullan to take the lead with four minutes remaining to the break.
St. Gall’s were now dictating matters and Maebh McCurdy moved them 2 in front before Ciara Devine replied with the final score of the half to leave the Belfast side one ahead at the break.
Sianeese Maybin fired over the equaliser within three minutes of the restart and Sorcha De Bhail pulled off a smart save to deny the Ballymena number 11 as All Saints pressed.
They were rocked back on their heels however as Niamh McAllister struck St Galls second goal after the All Saints defence failed to clear the danger and an upset look on the cards.
Slowly though the Slemish Park side began to reassert control and two goals from Johanna McKeown in the 14th and 15th minutes gave them back a lead they would not relinquish.
With Sianeese Maybin now operating very effectively as sweeper controlling matters going down the home straight, McKeown was afforded the luxury of pointing a penalty and adding another from play before Keely O’Mullan concluded the scoring with a late point for the Ballymena side.
All Saints were joined in their celebrations at the full-time whistle by the good crowd who had travelled to Dreen to cheer on their heroes with County Chair, Emma Kelly presenting the Cup to captain, Roisin Ward.
Johanna McKeown, who has been a constant scoring threat throughout the league and championship campaign, received the top scorer award from Emma Kelly while referee’s representative, Ryan O’Reilly presented the player of the match award to Cliodhna Metrustry, one of several players who were in contention for the award.
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