Toome edged out in Junior Camogie decider

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance County Junior ‘B2’ Championship Final

Eire Og Annacarty 1-8

Toomevara 1-5

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Sarah Burke (Eire Og Annacarty).

SCORERS – Eire Og Annacarty: Miriam Butler 0-4 (3 frees, 1 45); Katie Ahern 1-0; Sarah Burke 0-2 frees; Jennifer Heffernan, Lucy Heffernan 0-1 each.

Toomevara: Louise Young 0-4 (2 frees); Linda Nolan 1-0; Elaine Young 0-1.

Toomevara fell to a narrow defeat to Eire Og Annacarty in the County Junior ‘B2’ Camogie Championship Final at the Ragg on Sunday.

A hard fought and closely contested first half saw Annacarty leading by a single point heading towards the half time break but a crucial goal by Katie Ahearn on the stroke of half time extended that lead to four points, 1-4 to 0-3. Annacarty’s first half points coming from three Miriam Butler frees and a nice point on the run from Lucy Heffernan.

Both defences were on top in the opening half and scores were at a minimum. Danielle Butler at wing back was having a great battle with Toome’s sole scorer in the first half wing forward Louise Young with two coming from frees.

Toomevara got the second half off to a great start with a 35th minute goal from Linda Nolan after great work from Fiona Young who had by now been deployed at full forward.

The North girls would have hoped this goal would have allowed them to kick on from here but instead it was Annacarty who got a grip on the game. With Sarah Burke in command at centre back Sean Hogan’s side started to win all the breaks and the half forward line of Ciara Slattery, Courtney Quinn, and Jennifer Heffernan along with Lucy Heffernan began to create plenty of scoring chances.

They were guilty though of a brace of wides on the trot. Along with a string of point blank saves from Therese Maxwell this kept Toomevara in the game and with points from Louise Young and Elaine Young there was never more than a score between the sides.

Two pointed frees from Sarah Burke along with a Jennifer Heffernan point meant approaching fulltime Annacarty enjoyed a three point advantage. Toomevara went in search of a much needed goal, but the Annacarty defence stood tall and held on for a deserved victory.

Along with the aforementioned, others to impress for the winners were Caoimhe Brady at full back and captain Emma Kelly in the middle of the field.

Unfortunately for Toomevara, they were without three of their starting fifteen for the final. Despite this they performed heroically but didn’t have the same threat up from as their counterparts. Maria Tynan was excellent fort them throughout while Sandra Dunne also impressed in defence. Anna Grace and Elaine Young were very good in the middle of the field while Therese Maxwell pulled off some great saves in goals.

TEAMS - Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill: Kiera O’Dwyer, Aine O’Dwyer, Caoimhe Brady, Idemae Loughman, Danielle Butler, Sarah Burke, Sinead White, Emma Kelly, Clodagh Ryan, Ciara Slattery, Courtney Quinn, Jennifer Heffernan, Lucy Heffernan, Miriam Butler, Katie Ahern.

Sub used: Aoibhinn White.

Toomevara: Therese Maxwell, Sandra Dunne, Marie McCarthy, Michelle Harty, Maria Tynan, Samantha Ryan, Sarah Brislane, Anna Grace, Elaine Young, Anna Dunne, Fiona Young, Louise Young, Louisa Connolly, Sarah Kennedy, Linda Nolan.

Subs used: Evanna Harty, Ciara Slevin. Shauna Egan, Aine Mounsey.

Referee: Michael Heffernan (Moycarkey/Borris).