Banagher College progress to Leinster camogie final by minimum margin

BANAGHER College advanced to the Leinster Junior B Camogie final after a thrilling victory over Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown in Banagher on Friday last.

Three times last year , Banagher Colllege had lost out to the Kilkenny girls, most notably in the Leinster Minor B Final last May in Borris In Ossory. On this occasion though, the Banagher girls showed huge determination and commitment to turn the tables.

With that in mind, the home side began in wonderful fashion bringing the challenge to their more fancied opponents. Banagher were first to score when Holly Sexton pointed in the first minute of play. It was a full 13 minutes later before the next score arrived. A good pass by Anna McDermott finished with midfielder Ailbhe Martin splitting the posts from 40 metres. Two minutes later, busy full forward Emma Byrne won a free and duly sent the resultant free over the bar.

The Coláiste Mhuire management were now aware of the determined attitude of the Banagher girls and they reacted by subbing off both of their corner forwards in the 16^th minute. When a Johnstown defender picked the sliotar off the ground in the 17^th minute, Emma Byrne converted her second free. Johnstown had seen a number of efforts on goal thwarted by Banagher College goalkeeper Rebecca Slevin who was in very good form. Tara Moran and Béibhinn O Meara also brought out some telling clearances in the opening stages.

It was the 18^th minute of the game when the visitors finally managed to hit their first score when their centre forward Taylor Corbett pointed a 50 metre free. The first goal of the game came in the 20^th minute when a 35 metre shot from Holly Sexton went all the way to the Coláiste Mhuire net, 1-4 to 0-1.

That goal drew a fast response however from the Kilkenny side when Aoibhe Bourke pounced on a defender’s mistake and soloed in to slot the sliotar low into the Banagher College net. This spurred on the Johnstown side, for whom Katie Dunphy was in great form at centre back while Ciara Joyce also impressed. Banagher however, finished the half with two pointed frees by Emma Byrne to lead at half time 1-6 to 1-1.

One expected the talented Johnstown side to step up the pressure after the interval and that is exactly what panned out. A point from Sinéad Kirby started the comeback. At this stage the Banagher girls had to dig deep and defend strongly. Ailbhe Martin and Laura Foley really came to the fore at this stage while Annie Mulhare made some telling runs up the wing. Elodie Loonam too had a tremendous outing here.

Taylor Corbett was really impressive up front for the visitors and when she pointed from play in the 45^th minute the differential was down to a single score. Two pointed frees by Corbett narrowed the gap to the bare minimum at a stage when all the momentum was now with the Coláiste Mhuire girls, 1-6 to 1-5.

With three minutes remaining in the game, Emma Byrne hit the only score of the second half for the hosts. With time ticking away, Johnstown threw everything into attack and with the last puck of the game, full forward Clea Whelan saw her effort on goal barely skim the crossbar as the Banagher comtingent drew a huge sigh of relief. Moments later the final whistle saw the Banagher girls celebrate a win that was exceptionally hard earned after a tremendous game of camogie from both schools.

Banagher will face the winners of the other semi final between FCJ Bunclody and St Brendan’s Birr in the Leinster Junior Final in mid January.

BANAGHER COLLEGE: Rebecca Slevin, Béibhinn O'Meara, Tara Moran, Caitlin Donnelly, Emma McDermott, Elodie Loonam, Laura Foley, Ailbhe Martin (0-1), Leah Delaney, Annie Mulhare, Holly Sexton (1-1), Aoibhe Doyle, Laura Staunton, Emma Byrne (0-5, 0-4 frees), Anna McDermott.

COLAISTE MHUIRE JOHNSTOWN: Alanna Dwyer, Kate Mahon, Emma O'Connor, Saoirse Hickey, Robyn Townsend, Katie Dunphy, Ciara Joyce, Sinéad Kirby (0-1), Ciara Townsend, Aoibhe Bourke (1-0), Taylor Corbett (0-5, 0-4 frees), Anna Lanigan, Áine Carey, Clea Whelan (0-1), Sarah Hickey. Subs: Niamh Gleeson for Áine Carey 16 mins and Leyla Ahern for Sarah Hickey 16 mins.

REFEREE: Declan Cooke (Crinkill)