Lisdowney/Naomh Brid capture Minor D League Title

Gaeltec Utilities Minor D Camogie League Final

Lisdowney/Naomh Brid 2-9 Graiguenamanagh 1-4

The minor camogie girls of Lisdowney and Naomh Brid who only joined together at the start of this year ended off their Minor D league campaign with a deserved victory in the final played on Saturday evening 9^th August in Lisdowney. While the final scoreline might suggest a convincing win for the home side, this was very much an even contest for long periods and the inability of Graiguenamanagh to convert chances when they had their periods on top ultimately saw them come up short at the end.

The opening exchanges of this final were keenly contested and it took until the 5^th minute for the first score to arrive – a fine goal for Lisdowney/Naomh Brid by Molly Cummins. A period of ten minutes followed without any further scores until the home side took charge with a number of points by Ciara Delaney (3, 2F) and Mia Perry before Rebecca Hayden finally opened the scoring for the visitors in the 27^th minute from a free. Further scores for the home side from Roisin Burns and Ciara Delaney saw hem pull further clear and a late second point by Tara Fenton for Graiguenamanagh saw them trail by seven points at the break. Half-time: Lisdowney/Naomh Brid 1-6 Graiguenamanagh 0-2.

Graiguenamanagh did improve after the break despite conceding the opening score of the half to Ciara Delaney; this improvement led to a fine goal after a solo run from Rebecca Hayden in the 34^th minute, and a point by the same player shortly afterwards suggested a very tight finish was in store. A further point in the 45^th minute by Megan Kinsella further reduced the deficit but a key score followed at the other end shortly afterwards when the impressive Roisin Burns finished to the net and a further point by the same player five minutes later stretched the lead still further. Graiguenamanagh did have opportunities to reduce the deficit in this half but a number of missed scoring chances meant they were unable to mount a serious challenge to the home side whose backline led by goalkeeper Grace Doran defended well throughout. Further afield, Roisin Burns and Mia Perry had strong performances while Graiguenamanagh were best served by goalkeeper Lucy Kennedy, Megan O’Grady, Rebecca Hayden and Megan Kinsella.

Teams: Lisdowney/Naomh Brid: Grace Doran, Áine Kavanagh, Orla Phelan, Ava Leahy, Meave Holohan, Sinead Brennan, Aoife Blanchfield, Molly Cummins, Róisín Burns, Sadhbh Blanchfield, Ciara Delaney, Emily Farrell, Mia Perry, Tara Rose Dunphy, Ciara Delaney. Subs: Muireann Dunphy, Róisín Holohan, Michelle Kennedy, Blathnaid O Shea, Ellie O Connor, Meave Dwyer.

Graiguenamanagh: Lucy Kennedy, Claire O’ Neill, Lily Treacy, Hannah Kennedy, Daisy Barron, Orlaith O’ Shea, Megan O’ Grady, Jessica Dowling, Aoife Lavin, Tara Fenlon, Megan Kinsella, Rebecca Hayden, Libby Barron, Ingrid Tierney, Nessa Dowling. Subs: Nicole King, Chloe Byrne, Jessica Reddy.

Referee: Owen Beehan