Gaeltec U14 Roinn A Championship Final 08.10.2023 – Carrickshock v Rower Inistioge

Gaeltec U14 Roinn A Championship Final 08.10.2023

Carrickshock 0-10  Rower Inistioge 0-7

Venue: Glenmore Referee: Maurice Flynn

In the picturesque setting of Glenmore GAA Club on a sunny autumnal morning the u14 camogie players of Carrickshock and The Rower Inistioge met in the Gaeltec Roinn A county final and what a spectacle of skill unfolded before us. The Kilkenny Camogie u14 championship had been very competitive but the teams of Carrickshock and The Rower Inistioge deservedly progressed to the final. With scenes reminiscent of All Ireland finals from the 30’s the large crown spilled over the sidelines as many from various clubs were in attendance to see how this would play out.

From the throw in it was evident that all would be left on the playing field. Rower Inistioge built up an early lead getting 3 points on the board in the first few minutes. Carrickshock then took over. While their defence coped when they were needed the forwards capitalised when they had possession and had built up a small lead by half time.

All waited to see would the pattern continue but the second half was a whole new game which took on a life of it’s own. Rower Inistioge sought the goals that had been so vital in their build up games. Searing runs from the talented Muireann Kenny were thwarted time and time again, the Shock defence were in mean mood and great hand and ball work saw the sliotar expelled time and time again. The full back line were excellent, Siofra Mason, Ena Hickey and Emer Rossiter were not to be beaten, the Shocks secret weapon was our diminutive goalie Grainne O’Shea, she blocked shots point blank, shepherded the sliotar to safety time and time again. The Rower girls were unrelenting, with Muireann and Maeve Kenny, Laoise Kehoe and Saoirse Furlong excellent on the day.

The winning of the match, a penalty save by Grainne will live long in all the Carrickshock supporter’s memories, out the field Moya O Shea assisted by Aisling Rohan and Alana Lahart held the half back line firm, the engine of the Shock team was our player of the match Hannah Tennyson, her energy and attitude was a sight to behold.

Scores were scarce on the day with both defences dominating. For the Rower Izzy O Keeffe, Evie Rice and Sophie Bolger were excellent. Indeed the scoring was a shootout between the free takers Amy O Shea who was unerring shooting 6 from the placed ball, this was matched by Muireann Kenny. The difference on the day Carrickshock had a little bit extra, Katie O Shea added a point, as did Hannah Tennyson. Other players of note were Ivana Cahill who chased the sliotar all match long, Megan Carroll and Collen Byrne left everything on the field, Sarah O Shea and Grace Lahart worked hard to hold the sliotar inside the 45.

Super sub Kate Tennyson nearly snatched a late goal but it wasn’t needed as when the final whistle was heard Carrickshock were winners on a score line of 0-10 to 0-07, what a final, wild relieved celebrations ensued, congrats to Carrickshock camogie, their trainers Larry O Shea, Ramie Cahill, Noel Lahart and Mary Carroll, to the Rower Inistioge thank you for contributing to an epic final that had everything on the day.

With no one from the Kilkenny board in attendance at this the biggest game in juvenile Camogie the cup was presented by John Paul Kelly of Glenmore Camogie Club. As this precious cup was usually captured by city and town teams John Paul in his presentation speech said it was great that the final was contested by two country teams. Joint captains Hannah Tennyson and Moya O’Shea were then presented with the cup.

Carrickshock Team – Grainne O Shea, Siofra Mason, Ena Hickey, Emer Rossiter, Aisling Rohan, Moya O Shea (J Capt), Alana Lahart, Hannah Tennyson (0-1) (J Capt), Katie O Shea, (0-1), Megan Carroll, Amy O Shea (0-7 frees, 0-1), Colleen Byrne, Grace Lahart, Ivana Cahill, Sarah O’Shea, Katie Tennyson, Orna Murphy, Allah Ryan, Alison Mullaney

Management : Larry O’Shea, Ramie Cahill, Noel Lahart, Mary Carroll

Rower Inistioge Team – Heidi Culleton, Katelyn O’Keeffe, Izzy O’Keeffe, Holly Clifford, Evie Rice, Hilary Muldowney, Sophie Bolger, Ciara Bolger, Eimear Cotteral, Meabh Kenny, Muireann Kenny, Saoirse Furlong, Niamh Lonergan, Laoise Keogh, Aoibhinn Downey, Lauren Egan, Ellie Ann Spellman, Saskia Walsh, Hannah Lanigan, Rachel Mahon, Chloe Naddy, Isabelle Furlong, Mai Donovan, Isobel Smithwick

Management : Nicky Kenny, Paschal Walsh, Michael Muldowney, Christina Lanigan, Tom Morrissey, Paul Culleton