5-in-a-row: An Incredible Achievement!
On Sunday our Senior A Camogie team showed terrific spirit to overcome St Vincents in an exciting Championship Final in O’ Toole Park. It was by no means a classic, but Finals are all about winning! The game was a low scoring encounter, every score being hard earned.
Five Senior Championships in succession is a fantastic achievement, and this is also the Club’s 10th title since 1999. Another great statistic is that Fiona Corcoran, Sile Nic Coitir & Orla Smith have played in ALL TEN Championships.
Many congratulations to a fabulous bunch of players led by Captain Rachel Ruddy. We are also fortunate to have a splendid management team of Richie, Phil, Peter, Nuala & Bernard who also deserve great credit. It is rumoured that celebrations went on well into the night, but now the focus is on the Leinster semi-final this Sunday. We have home advantage on Pairc Úi Murchú against the mighty Oulart the Ballagh from Wexford, throw in 2.30pm. A huge home support will be essential in aiding the girls get over the line against a team laden with All Stars and All Ireland winners.
On behalf of the Senior Camogie players and management, and everybody involved in the Camogie section, we would like to place on record our appreciation to Club Sponsor H&K International, Rathfarnham & District Credit Union and Knocklyon Parish.
SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL Ballyboden St Endas 1-7 St Vincents 0-7
Ballyboden St. Endas playing with the aid of the breeze started the better in a low scoring first half with points from Anne Griffin and Denice McGrath. Naomh Uinsionn competed magnificently throughout with 14 players for most of the game after the early dismissal of their wing back Lora Smith. Alison Maguire opened the scoring for Vincents on ten minutes. 2 quick points from the pacy Jill Horan put Ballyboden 3 points ahead midway through the half. But Vincents settled into the game and competing fiercely for every ball had points from Emer Dillon Ali Maguire (45) and Aisling Maher (free). Boden replied with a point from Anne Griffin to leave the half time score Ballyboden 0-05 Vincents 0-04.
Vincents seemed to be slightly on top for most of the second half. They outscored Boden 2 points to 1 in the first ten minutes with points from Aisling Maher and Emer Dillon. Jill Horan had her third and Boden’s 6th point to leave the teams level on 0-06 each. Although the next 12 minutes didn’t produce any scores both sides played some outstanding Camogie. Would whoever scored next have a definite advantage? Aoife Ryan slotted over a point on 22 minutes giving Vincents the lead for the first time in the game. All games have a turning point and today it happened on the 23 minutes when Boden were awarded a free some 30 yards from goals. Anne Griffiin’s free took a cruel deflection and ended up in the Vincent’s net. Mairead Luttrelll added a point for Boden giving them a 3 point lead with 5 minutes left (plus 4 minutes of time added on). Vincents tried everything to get the equalising score but Ballyboden managed to keep their goals intact and held out to win 1-07 to 0-07 giving them their 5th championship win in a row. Both teams gave everything on the pitch.
Ballyboden: Sile Nic Coitir, Rachel Ruddy, Susan Kennedy, Orla Smith, Sarah Nagle, Fiona Corcoran, Natalie Hyland, Jill Horan, Julie McGrath, Martha O’ Donoghue, Mairead Luttrell, Anne Griffin, Paula McGrath, Denise McGrath, Emer Lucey
Subs: Danielle White, Aisling O’ Leary, Maria McGrath, Laura Nagle, Ciara Lucey, Laura Burns, Zenouska Murphy, Aoife O’ Neill, Jane Edwards, Grace Walsh, Roisin Walsh, Aoife Tobin, Rebeka Kamvar, Jodie White, Hannah Hyland
Management team: Richard Sweetnam, Philip Larkin, Peter Lucey, Nuala O’ Sullivan, Bernard Curtis