Gortnahoe show composure to win the county Junior B final replay

FBD Insurance Junior B Camogie Championship Final Replay

Gortnahoe Glengoole 0-11

Moyle Rovers 0-8

On Sunday, a large crowd gathered in the County Camogie Grounds once again for the replay of the FBD Insurance Junior B Camogie Final.

Last weekend, it was Moyle Rovers who raced into a five-point to no-score lead but on Sunday the opposite happened with Gortnhaoe scoring the opening seven points without reply. Their opening two scores came from frees by the excellent Sophie Pembroke in the 10th and 11th minute before Grace Campion got the first score from play a minute later.

Gortnahoe were winning all the breaks as Moyle Rovers struggled to get on the scoreboard. Ciara Hogan who had a brilliant game in the middle of the field pointed after 15 minutes before Sophie Pembroke nailed two frees either side of a wonderful Leah Bird point from play.

This made it seven points to no score. By now Moyle Rovers had had a number of scoring opportunities but were guilty of at times taking the wrong option or else coming up against some brilliant defending especially from Sophie Pembroke and Annie Slattery.

Finally, after 26 minutes, they raised their first white flag thanks to an Ava Collins free. This was the score they needed and suddenly Rovers sparked into life with Eabha Dolan and Aoife Campion beginning to get on top in the half backline and Ellie Franklin and Hazel Brennan coming into their own in midfield.

An Ava Wall point from play was followed up by an Ava Collins free before two more frees from Ava Collins deep in injury time made it 0-7 to 0-5 at the break.

Despite falling seven points behind and not scoring until the 26th minute Moyle Rovers only trailed Gortnahoe by two points at the break having shown real character to drag themselves back into the game.

So like the game the week previous it was all still to play for at half time. Rovers began the second half as they had finished the first and had levelled proceedings within three minutes thanks to points from Ava Wall and Ava Collins. Amazingly they failed to score again until the 45th minute and this would be their final score of the game. In a low-scoring second half, the scores would come that bit easier for Gortnahoe.

A Kate Laffan point in the 34th minute meant they regained the lead before Sophie Pembroke (free) and Leah Bird made it three between the sides after 40 minutes 0-10 to 0-7. Both sides continued to work hard and show great determination. And while we didn’t have a free-flowing high-scoring game the hooking, blocking, and tackling was second to none.

Eabha Dolan put two between the sides thanks to a wonderful free from distance on the three-quarter mark. Two points was a dangerous lead as the clock ticked down but the Gortnahoe Glengoole defence stood tall especially centre-back and captain Sophie Pembroke who gave a player of the match performance.

Her free in the 60th minute was the final score of the game and to huge relief to the players, the referee sounded the final whistle soon after.

Gortnahoe Glengoole: Aoife Lanigan; Eimear Nolan, Annie Slattery, Rachel Slattery; Katie Dooley, Sophie Pembroke (0-6f), Eimear Lanigan; Niamh Lanigan, Ciara Hogan (0-1); Ciara Gleeson, Grace Campion (0-1), Aoife Ryan; Kate Laffan (0-1), Kaylyn Burke, Leah Bird (0-2).

Subs used: Eimear Power for Aoife Ryan.

Moyle Rovers: Makayla O’Donnell; Tara McGrath, Grainne O’Donnell, Meabh O’Regan; Aoife Campion, Sarah Luttrell, Eabha Dolan (0-1f); Ava Collins (0-4f) Ellie Franklin (0-1); Roisin McGrath, Hazel Brennan, Laura Grace; Triona Ryan, Ava Wall (0-2) Aoibhe Browne.

Subs used: Caitriona Phelan for Triona Ryan.

Referee: Paul Carew (Lattin Cullen)