Clinical Drumcullen secure Senior B camogie title with four point win over Tullamore

Drumcullen 2-11

Tullamore 0-13

DRUMCULLEN will be hopping this week as the camogie team claimed a 2-11 to 0-13 win over Tullamore in the final of the Senior B Championship on Sunday afternoon.

With the men’s Intermediate team also claiming victory on Sunday morning, it was a remarkable double for the club and they will be jumping for joy knowing they have secured championship success for 2025.

Despite not putting out the best second half performance, they did enough in the end to see out the game and all the while with Tullamore piling on the pressure right throughout the second 30 minutes in Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park.

Drumcullen were sharper in the first half and probably would have been gutted not to have been ahead by more following the first half’s conclusion, but Tullamore just couldn’t muster up the comeback needed in the end to snatch victory away from Drumcullen’s grasp.

Drumcullen were the better side throughout the first half and they led 1-7 to 0-6 at the break thanks to a goal in the second minute from Leah Gath, thanks to a flick on the edge of the square which gave them the incentive. She added to the opening score of the game, while Fianait Dooley added three points which were all of top class quality during the opening 30 minutes, with Clodagh Leahy also tagging on three frees.

Tullamore’ s Lisa Gorman was the main threat for her side in the first half, as was Becky Byrant at full forward, but there was also some strong defensive displays from both camps too, with Lauren Leavey and Laura Foley both standing out at either ends of the field and digging out possession for their sides whenever was needed. Despite leading by four at the break, Drumcullen knew they had a fight on their hands.

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It took until the 41st minute of the second half for there to be a score, as Becky Byrant brought Tullamore back into it and suddenly that seemed to spring them on as they came up with three of the next four scores thanks to Lisa Gorman, Michelle Mann and Becky Byrant, leaving it at a one point game with just 10 minutes remaining.

Drumcullen were struggling for scores during the opening 20 minutes of the half, as they only put one score up in the 44th minute from Grainne Kennedy and not adding to their tally to really push on, but they rallied in the final 10 and thanks to a brilliant run by Fianait Dooley, she teed up Leah Gath for her second of the game and ultimately the match winning score to go alongside the brilliant frees by Clodagh Leahy and while Tullamore pushed and pushed until the end, a goal never came and Drumcullen held on to end the season on a high.

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MATCH ANALYSIS

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

CAOIMHE SPAIN (DRUMCULLEN): There were some great players for the winning side on Sunday, Fianait Dooley finished with 0-3, as well as setting up the second goal, Leah Gath was instrumental at full forward, as was Clodagh Leahy in the middle, but the pick for me is Caoimhe Spain in the goals. She was commanding in the nets, never let the pressure of a high ball get to her and her puck outs were excellent and she was the big major difference in the end.

Lisa Gorman worked tirelessly in the full forward line for Tullamore, while Becky Byrant caused issues too and their full back line also did a good job.

THE SCORERS

Drumcullen: Leah Gath (2-1), Clodagh Leahy (0-6, frees), Fianait Dooley (0-3), Grainne Kennedy (0-1). 

Tullamore: Lisa Gorman (0-6, 0-4 frees), Becky Byrant (0-2 frees) and Michelle Mann (0-3 each), Chloe Fogarty (0-1).

THE TEAMS

DRUMCULLEN: Caoimhe Spain; Elaine Troy, Laura Foley, Creagh Lyons; Sasha Connolly (JC), Kaitlyn Kennedy (JC), Caoimhe Darcy; Katie Hennessy, Clodagh Leahy; Fianait Dooley, Grainne Kennedy, Aideen Bracken; Karla Mannion, Leah Gath, Chloe Gath Hollywood. Subs– Shauna Mannion for Gath Hollywood (50m).

TULLAMORE: Leah Gallagher; Lauren Leavy (C), Aishling Feeney, Jennifer Rigney; Emily Walsh, Sarah O’Rourke, Emma Buggy; Emily Conlon, Anna Boyle; Michelle Mann, Kate Fox, Sarah Kehoe; Chloe Fogarty, Becky Byrant, Lisa Gorman. Subs– Rachel Cunningham for Doyle (25m), Niamh Hughes for Kehoe (50m), Grace Waters for Walsh (50m).

REFEREE WATCH

Sean Donoghue took charge of the first game and did so well. Wasn’t afraid to let things go and wasn’t afraid to pull frees back for steps for a few players. He did a good job overall and didn’t play a role in any way of the final scoreline.

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MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Leah Gath’s goal in the 54th minute was the moment the game was sealed for good and it was the build up to the goal that was superb too with the run made by Fianait Dooley and the finish from a tight angle from Leah Gath was excellent and killed the game off as a contest.

VENUE WATCH

Grant Heating St Brendan’s Park hosted the two games on Sunday afternoon and it did so well, despite some worries about lines not being drawn for the final as well as there not being a linesman for the stand side which wasn’t good.

WHAT'S NEXT

The season is now over for both sides.

STATISTICS

Wides: Tullamore – 4 ( 1 in first half); Drumcullen – 6 (6 in first half).

Yellow cards: Tullamore - (2) Emma Buggy and Becky Byrant Drumcullen – (0)

Red cards: Tullamore – (0) Drumcullen – (0)

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