It was a busy camogie weekend with lots of good performances from our juvenile teams
Division U16A: Ballyboden A 5-5 v Na Fianna A 0-1 at PUM
Our girls got back to winning ways with a superb performance against Na Fianna at PUM on Saturday.
Recent league results suggested that this would be a “nip and tuck” affair, but our girls set about their task with gusto from the first whistle.
First to raise a green flag was Aisling Byrne, and Alana (who was settling in well making her first outing of the year with the “A” team) did likewise a few minutes later following a purposeful solo run. A pointed free from Katie followed, and then a dropping ball from Hollyn ended up in the net as the goalie appeared distracted by the sight of Georgina bearing down on her. Alana was then fouled resulting in Katie slotting over the point, and Aisling Byrne closed out the first half with a point.
Georgina opened the second half with a goal, and then Olivia got in on the act slotting over a point. Then came Na Fianna’s solitary response – a point from a “45”. The game was closed out by Aisling Gargan (“Gamekeeper turned poacher”), as she moved from full back to full forward and scored a good goal and point.
A very good day’s work ended in some disappointment when word emerged that Judes had fallen agonisingly short against Vincents, meaning that a top two finish was out of reach for us. Nevertheless many positive signs as we prepare for the upcoming championship season. We will not be far away!!
Division U13A: Ballyboden A 9-7 v St. Vincents A 1-0 at Cherryfield
Our match on Sunday morning was characterised by a determined performance from the first whistle, against a somewhat understrength Vincents team.
Jennifer opened the scoring with two pointed frees, and Ella than found the net twice. Katie was then fouled, yielding another pointed free for Jennifer, to leave us 9 points to the good at half time.
The second half opened with a changed formation for us but we were quickly back in the groove with goals from Jennifer and Katie. A pointed “45” from Clodagh was followed by scores from Katie Jennifer and Yvonne, while the only reply from Vincents was a late goal.
This was truly a team effort, with everyone pulling their weight, and scores being shared across a good number of players. However we all know massive tests lie ahead – in particular the unbeaten Lucan and the high-flying Na Fianna.
Division U13D: Ballyboden B 11-1 v Castleknock B 0-0 at Castleknock
The under 13B girls traveled to Castleknock on Sunday morning. While it was an early start the Boden girls were quick off the mark with a great goal from Alanah Grady following a piercing run through the defence. This opened the flood gates with goals from Anna Fitzgerald following a great save by the keeper of a rocket from her first shot and Eimer Hayden who bust through the defence to hand pass to the net. Ciara Kelleher was causing all sorts of problems in the full forward line and the move of the first half was a series of passes between Ciara Kelleher, Katie McCabe, Ciara Deane and finished to the net by Alanah Grady. Emily Regan finished the half with a well taken goal from a ground shot. The defense in the first half was outstanding with Clodagh Reid, Abbie Brennan and Anna Lambert from the under 12 team totally on top. Aoife Quigley and Elena McDonagh kept winning ball and making great clearances while Louise Sharkey let nothing past her.
In the second half it was more of the same. Abbie and Anna moved to midfield and dominated while Clodagh dominated the backs. Katie and Ciara Deane played well in the forwards in the second. Elena, Aoife and Louise didn’t give an inch. More goals came and Sarah Balance who had a very good first half got in on the goal scoring act and finished as strong as she started.
The Boden girls pushed on to the finish working as a team and finished the game 11 goals 1 point to 0.0.