Castlelyons 2-14 Inniscarra 1-5

What a day for Castlelyons Camogie Club last Saturday as they went on to win the club’s second ever adult camogie title.  They defeated Inniscarra in the Junior B county final in Castle Road before a limited crowd.  The heavy lifting was done in the semi-final against Bride Rovers as there was a feeling that Inniscarra were not as good and it proved that way when one looks at the victory margin.  The backs were rock solid from the start as Niamh Barry and Melissa O Sullivan at full and centre back led their lines well.  The Castlelyons girls led 2-9 to 0-5 at the short whistle, with the highlights being Gráinne McCarthy and Jessie O Leary poaching a goal apiece and Leigh Hallihan scoring 0-4 from play.  Other points came from Ava Hallihan 0-2, Sarah Morrison 0-1, and Jessie O Leary 0-1 in an excellent first half of commitment from Castlelyons.

Castlelyons put 0-5 on the board in the second half with scores from Jessie O Leary 0-1, Ava and Leigh Hallihan 0-1 apiece, Gráinne McCarthy 0-1 from a free and Sarah Morrison 0-1 to Inniscarra’s 1-0 for a relatively facile victory.  No doubt about it this team comprises a blend of youth and experience and with plenty of young players available to come onto the panel they will be able to hold their own in the higher-grade next year.  The captain Niamh Barry received the Cup in a fever of excitement and Leigh Hallahan received the Person of the Match Award amid a fever of celebrations. There was a real bualadh bos by locals who welcomed the team in a parade through Castlelyons. Give a thought for Inniscarra as they were defeated by Courcey Rovers on Sunday in the senior final thus losing two finals.

It is so regrettable that celebrations were curtailed by regulations to prevent any spread of the current pandemic.  Congratulations to all the girls and their management team of Timmy McCarthy, Trevor Hickey, Seanie Cotter, Mary McNulty, and Orla Hallihan.  Also, well done to Alan O Regan who did a side by side commentary on the game with Inniscarra and the streaming was a serious bonus to the those who could not travel to the game. 

There will be another time when the celebrations can flow but the victory will remain in the memory.  Sure, it would it be mighty to take the junior proper title next year and I have every faith in the team and management to do the business again. Hopefully, by then we will have overcome current curtailments and we will enjoy a greater sense of freedom.  Go mbeirimíd beo ar an am seo arís. 

Team:  Zoe Power, Áine Ní Mhaolán, Niamh Barry, Cáit McCarthy, Clodagh O’Flynn, Melissa O’Sullivan, Sarah Morrison (0-1), Lucy McNulty (0-1), Eva Hallihan(0-3), Aibhín O’Sullivan, Nollaig McCarthy 0-2, Leah Hallihan (0-6), Avril Beirne, Gráinne McCarthy (1-1), Jessie O Leary (1-2) Subs: Áine O Brien, Olivia Sheehan, Abbie Quirke, Rachel Murphy, Katie O Riordan, Billie Shanahan, Anna Greaney and Isabelle Fenton. Subs used:  Billy Shanahan, Anna Greaney, and Isabelle Fenton, Katie O’Riordan and Olivia Sheehan.