Late point sees Holycross to Junior double over Toome

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Tipperary Junior ‘B2’ Championship Final

Holycross/Ballycahill 1-8

Toomevara 1-7

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Lauren Cunningham (Holycross/Ballycahill)

SCORERS – Holycross/Ballycahill: Sarah Quinlan 1-5 (0-5 frees); Robbyn Fitzgerald, Eimear Duggan, Ellen Ryan 0-1 each.

Toomevara: Louise O’Gorman 0-4 (3 frees); Therese Maxwell 1-1; Anna Grace, Aisling McCormack 0-1 each.

Holycross/Ballycahill capped off an outstanding year by capturing the County Junior ‘B2’ Championship with a hard-fought one-point victory over Toomevara in the final at the Camogie Grounds on Saturday.

This achievement followed another milestone for the club, as the Junior ‘A’ team had clinched the county title just the previous week. Remarkably, many players who featured in Saturday’s triumph were also part of the Junior ‘A’ squad, with Declan Carr managing both teams.

Holycross got off to a dream start with Sarah Quinlan finding the net just two minutes in. Quinlan added two frees, giving her team an early edge.

Toomevara, however, struggled to find their rhythm and had to wait until the fourteenth minute for their opening score, a free from Louise O’Gorman.

Lauren Cunningham was outstanding for Holycross/Ballycahill, controlling the midfield, and winning key possession that kept her team in command. A point from Robyn Fitzgerald and free from Sarah Quinlan followed and with nearly twenty minutes played, Holycross led 1-4 to 0-1, leaving Toomevara facing an uphill battle.

However, the greyhounds were given a lifeline when Therese Maxwell connected brilliantly with a cross-field pass, sending the ball into the net.

This goal injected new energy into Toomevara, and they began to press forward. Louise O’Gorman added another point from a free, and Maxwell added a second point, narrowing the scoreline at halftime to 1-6 to 1-3 in favour of Holycross/Ballycahill.

The second half saw Toomevara emerge a totally different team restricting Holycross to just two points, a Sarah Quinlan free in the 47th and 61st minutes.

Toome’s half backline were excellent in the second period, in particular Maria Tynan who came forward at every opportunity. Anna Grace opened the second half scoring for Toomevara, and they enjoyed a real purple patch for the opening fifteen minutes.

Elaine Young was proving a handful at full forward while Sarah Kennedy and Therese Maxwell were also threatening scores. A number of goal chances went a begging with a rasper off the post and another shot going narrowly wide.

Having weathered the onslaught, Holycross grew in confidence again with Orlaith Byrne, Cathy Dundon and Emily Mills brilliant in defence. However, Louise O’Gorman and substitute Aisling McCormack added points for Toomevara, and the sides were level for the first time at 1-7 apiece after 55 minutes.

Both sides went in search of a winner and in injury time Sarah Quinlan was handed the opportunity after Lauren Cunningham was fouled. She duly pointed and Holycross were in front.

Time was against Toomevara, but they did get a late free which barely went wide and Holycross/Ballycahill held on for a famous victory.

It was heartbreak for Toomevara who will rue a sluggish start and some missed scoring opportunities in the second half.

They put in a serious second half performance though that they can be very proud of against a very fit and lively Holycross side.

It was a great win for Holycross/Ballycahill who put huge work in the first half and got some fine scores. In the second half they defended admirably and never panicked. Although it was a low scoring game it certainly didn’t lack excitement and determination.

TEAMS – Holycross/Ballycahill: Mags Fanning (Capt 6); Aoife O’Reilly (6), Faye Healy (7), Anna Lanphier (6); Cathy Dundon (7), Orlaith Byrne (7), Emily Mills (7); Robbyn Fitzgerald (7), Lauren Cunningham (8); Eimear Duggan (6), Julie Brennan (6), Rhianna Cahill (6); Sarah Quinlan (8), Mary Kate Cahill (6), Ellen Ryan (6).

Subs used: Niamh Craddock (6), Jessica Ryan (6).

Toomevara: Paula Ryan (6); Michelle Harty (7), Tricia Cleere (7), Maria McCarthy (6); Laura Young (7), Fiona Young (7), Maria Tynan (7); Sarah Corcoran (7), Sandra Dunne (6); Anna Dunne (6), Sarah Kennedy (6), Louise O’Gorman (7); Therese Maxwell (7), Elaine Young (6), Anna Grace (6).

Subs used: Mary Meagher (6), Jenny Ryan (6), Aisling McCormack (6).

Referee: Philly Ryan (Boherlahan-Dualla).