Grace Teehan guides Naomh Brid to Senior B camogie title

Grace Teehan guides Naomh Brid to Senior B camogie title

NAOMH BRID 4-10

TULLAMORE 1-9

A STRONG first half display set Naomh Brid on the road to a convincing 10 point victory over Tullamore in the Offaly Senior B Camogie Final played at Grant Heating St Brendan's Park, Birr on Sunday.

Inspired by county star Grace Teehan, who finished the game with 2-8, Naomh Brid established an 11 point half time lead after a dominant first half display. There were far fewer scores from both sides in the second half but Naomh Brid had done enough in the opening 30 minutes to ensure that they claimed the title.

Grace Teehan, who was selected on this year's Soaring Star All Star team, set Naomh Brid on their way with a goal after two minutes and while Tullamore did well in the first quarter to reduce the gap to just one point after 12 minutes, from there on Naomh Brid were in charge. They hit 1-5 without reply in six minutes to establish a nine point lead and then a third goal on the stroke of half time really put the game out the reach of Tullamore as Naomh Brid led by 3-8 to 0-6 at the break.

The game really just went through the motions in the second half as Tullamore were unable to make inroads on the Naomh Brid lead. A fourth goal gave them a 13 point lead midway through the half and it was the last minute before Tullamore finally found the net.

Naomh Brid were much the sharper team throughout. They stamped their authority on the game early on and except for that brief period at the end of the first quarter, they were always in command. They punished their opponents for any mistakes and kept the pressure on when they got on top.

Tullamore didn't lack effort but they failed to take some good opportunities in the first half when they were still in contention and that cost them. They kept plugging away in the second half but didn't enjoy much luck around the Naomh Brid goals with the winners' defence keeping them at bay.

Louise Larkin, Orlagh Phelan and Aoife Walsh were impressive in the Naomh Brid defence, Emily Maher and Niamh Walsh did well at midfield while Grace Teehan was the star of the attack where Aine O'Connor and Valerie Meagher also worked hard.

Lauren Leavy, Marie Cantwell and Aisling Feeney put in a big effort in the Tullamore defence, Michelle Mann tried hard at midfield while in attack Lisa Gorman, Orla Gorman and Becky Bryant all caused problems.

Grace Teehan opened the scoring from a free inside the first minute and just over a minute later Aine O'Connor came in along the endline and passed to Grace Teehan who found the net. Lisa Gorman got Tullamore's first point from a free after four minutes but Sarah Tooher responded with a point at the other end. Tullamore then enjoyed their best spell with three points in three minutes, two from Lisa Gorman (one free) and the other from Orla Gorman and that left just a point in it, 1-2 to 0-4.

Naomh Brid then hit a purple spell as Aine O'Connor's point was followed by four in a row from Grace Teehan and the latter then gathered a ball on the 20m line and moved forward and crashed the ball to the net.

Tullamore had chances but Lisa Gorman failed to connect with a ball coming across the square while Niamh Hughes saw another shot flash wide. Orla Gorman did get a point for them with Grace Teehan quickly replied. Lisa Gorman pointed another free and then Becky Bryant had a great shot well saved by Marcella Maloney and almost immediately Naomh Brid went upfield and Aine O'Connor went through and fired to the net and Naomh Brid were 3-8 to 0-6 in front at the break.

Scores were slow to come after the break. Orla Gorman got the first point after five minutes and Grace Teehan and Lisa Gorman exchanged points from frees. Thirteen minutes in Naomh Brid scored their fourth goal. Charlotte McLoughney's first shot was very well saved by Leah Gallagher but McLoughney followed in and forced the ball into the net.

Lisa Gorman had another point for Tullamore but 16 minutes followed without a score for either side before Grace Teehan pointed for Naomh Brid. Two minutes into injury time Becky Bryant eventually got reward for a lot of effort when she caught a high ball from Lisa Gorman and crashed the ball home. But it was just a consolation score as Naomh Brid celebrated their win.

Scorers: Naomh Brid; Grace Teehan (2-8, 0-3 frees), Aine O'Connor (1-1), Charlotte McLoughney (1-0), Sarah Tooher (0-1)

Tullamore; Lisa Gorman (0-6, 0-4 frees), Orla Gorman (0-3), Becky Bryant (1-0).

NAOMH BRID: Marcella Maloney; Molly Hogan, Louise Larkin, Sarah Ryan; Ciara Walshe, Orlagh Phelan, Aoife Walsh; Emily Maher, Niamh Walsh; Ailish Maher, Aine O'Connor, Charlotte McLoughney; Sarah Tooher, Valerie Meagher, Grace Teehan. Subs. Aoife Burke (for Ailish Maher, 40 mins), Gillian Loughnane (for Valerie Meagher, 57 mins), Emma Teehan (for Sarah Tooher, 60 mins), Kate O'Toole (for Charlotte McLoughney, 62 mins).

TULLAMORE: Leah Gallagher; Chloe Buggy, Ayesha Brazil, Lauren Leavy; Marie Cantwell, Sarah O'Rourke, Aisling Feeney; Michelle Mann, Emily Conlon; Niamh Hughes, Lisa Gorman, Kate Troy; Emma Buggy, Becky Bryant, Orla Gorman. Subs. Katie McDermott (for Ayesha Brazil, half time), Katie Fogarty (for Niamh Hughes, 40 mins).

REFEREE: Shane Guinan (Drumcullen).