Newport/Ballinahinch retain Minor ‘C’ title

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Minor ‘C’ Championship Final

Newport/Ballinahinch 0-11

Moyle Rovers 0-5

Report: Thomas Conway in Kilcommon

Newport/Ballinahinch battled through torrential rain to capture their second successive County Minor ‘C’ Camogie Championship title on Bank Holiday Monday, surviving a second-half surge from Moyle Rovers.

Having built up a 0-7 to 0-1 lead by the interval, it appeared as if Newport/Ballinahinch were about to cruise to this county title, but the North side were forced to dig deep in the second period, delivering a strong defensive display to subdue a pacey Moyle Rovers attack, particularly in the final quarter.

Played out amid incessant rain and a difficult cross-field breeze, this contest could so easily have deteriorated into a series of melees. Instead, it was a relatively open affair which produced several instances of high-quality, counter-attacking camogie. The pitch also refused to buckle, with surface holding up impressively for the duration of the game, despite the relentless rainfall.

It is no lie to say that Newport/Ballinahinch appeared to be home and hosed by half-time. They produced a dominant first-half performance, opening their account through wing-back Sinead O’Riordan and consolidating their advantage courtesy of Caoimhe Troy frees. While Troy was a model of consistency from placed-balls, her colleagues in the forward line, most notably Isobel Eivers, were also a constant threat. Eivers would slot three points from play, delivering a player of the match performance.

Having been outclassed by Newport/Ballinahinch during the opening period, Moyle Rovers’ hopes of winning appeared to have faded. However, they re-emerged from the dressing-room a different force, mounting a second-half revival and very nearly reeled their opponents in. They might have done so, had it not been for Newport/Ballinahinch’s defensive cohesion during the final quarter.

While their structure became disjointed in the moments after the interval, Frank Eivers’ side seemed to reorganise themselves with some fifteen minutes remaining, perhaps realising that Rovers posed a serious threat. Wing-back Áine Finn, who had burst forward to land a point of her own earlier in the game, was imperious, as were the full-back line trio of Robin Coffey, Aoife Mellerick and Aoibheann Collins.

Rovers went hunting for a goal in the final quarter, but it failed to materialise. While Áine Phelan and Ava White consistently threatened up front for the south side, their midfield partnership of Ellie Franklin and Hazel Brennan were perhaps most influential, conducting the show in the middle third for much of the second-half. This, however, was Newport/Ballinahinch’s day. They looked more polished, more refined, and more experienced. On a bleak and desperate afternoon, they produced some sparkling moments, and secured a second county title in as many seasons.

Player of the Match: Isobel Eivers (Newport/Ballinahinch)

Newport/Ballinahinch: Amy Healy, Robin Coffey, Aoife Mellerick, Aoibheann Collins, Áine Finn (0-1), Sinéad O’Riordan (0-1), Clara Collins (0-2), Clodagh Grimes, Emma Healy, Isobel Eivers (0-3), Aileen Kennedy, Caoimhe Troy (0-4, 3f), Isobel Cassidy, Aoife Kidman, Abby Lenihan.

Sub: Abbie Lenihan for Healy (35).

Moyle Rovers: Aoibhe Browne, Shawna Mitten, Gráinne O’Donnell, Sarah Luttrell, Aoife Campion, Eabha Dolan, Lauren Duggan (0-1), Ellie Franklin (0-1), Hazel Brennan, Ava Wall, Amy McMorrow, Ava White, Áine White, Áine Phelan (0-3, 2f), Lucy O’Brien, Kate Moore.

Referee: Mike Ryan (Nenagh Éire Óg).