Junior Championship Winners 2011

Donore, Sunday the 23^rd of October 2011, throw in 2:30pm

Referee Ray Kelly

MOOREFIELD CROWNED JUNIOR B CAMOGIE CHAMPIONS IN GRIPPING ENCOUNTER.

Having finished all square a week earlier Kill and Moorefield took to the field once more to decide the Junior B Camogie Championship title. If the previous week was anything to go on this was going to be a gripping encounter and it lived up to its billing in what were difficult conditions.

Moorefield got off to the better start and were rewarded for a period of good possession in the Kill half with two points from Dearbháil Kelly. However, Moorefield were not going to have it all their own way and Kill took the game to Moorefield putting the Moore’s under sustained pressure for much of the latter part of the first half; Kill opened their account for the day with a goal and followed this with three fine points. Dearbháil Kelly of Moorefield kept the Moore’s account ticking over with a further point before the interval. The first half finished with Kill leading 1-03 to Moorefield’s 0-03.

Moorefield started the second half with renewed energy and were moving the ball well getting two early points from Dearbháil Kelly and Serena Donnelly. This was followed by a period of good pressure from Kill led by Gráinne Temple in the middle of the field with some fine runs from deep and despite the best efforts of the Moorefield defence Kill got their second goal when the ball was batted to the back of the net following a dangerous ball across the mouth of the goal.

Moorefield replied with some fine play and when Fionnualla Kelly released a wide ball to the left wing, Ciara Conaty gathered the ball and following a fine run down the left wing fired a high ball on goal finding the back of the net. Moorefield pressed on from here with Ciara Conaty causing Kill problems on the left wing with some fine runs, scoring a couple of points in quick succession and with another point from Dearbhail Kelly the Moore’s had gone into a two point lead.

With much of the play now in the Kill half it was Gráinne Temple for Kill who took the ball on leading some fine counter attacks but the Moorefield defence was not going to be broken down easily with Sara Bell, Niamh McMullen, Eadaoin Cummins and Aisling Curley putting in fine performances denying Kill any reward. Moorefield captain, Fionnuala Kelly and Niamh Doyle distributed quick ball from the defence to the Moorefield forwards Clodagh Cummins, Serena Donnelly, Louise McMullen and Ciara Cusick who were causing the Kill defence increasing problems and were unlucky not convert a few fine efforts. With the game still very much in the balance Moorefield’s Shauna Doyle, who had a solid performance in the middle of the field, released Ciara Conaty on another run down the left wing who finished with another fine point.

With Moorefield now three points ahead and a little over five minutes to play, Kill dug deep and through Gráinne Temple got the ball into the Moorefield half winning a free just outside the 45m line. Catriona Temple fired in a probing ball deep into the Moorefield defence but the Moorefield defence again stood strong, the ball eventually cleared but only for the Moore’s to concede another free at the 45m line. Catriona Temple again launched the ball at the Moorefield goal and this was followed by some sustained pressure but again the Moorefield defence defended well. With the clock almost run down Kill had a 20m free and with a goal now their only chance of forcing extra time Sara Cullen stood up to the mark and fired in a dangerous ball which the Moorefield defence confidently dealt with clearing their lines when the final whistle sounded. Moorefield deserving winners taking home the 2011 Junior B Championship title. Final score Moorefield 1-09, Kill 2-03.

Moorefield: Eadaoin Cummins, Sarah Bell, Niamh McMullen, Niamh Doyle, Fionnuala Kelly (Captain), Michelle Curley, Shauna Doyle, Dearbháil Kelly (0-05), Ciara Conaty (1-03), Serena Donnelly (0-01), Clodagh Cummins, Louise McMullen, Ciara Cusick, Aisling Curley, Eadaoin Barrett, Lesley Poole.