Mount Leinster Rangers 2-6
Naomh Eoin (Myshall ) 2-6
An enthralling Carlow senior camogie final between 10-in-a-row seeking Naomh Eoin Myshall and Mount Leinster Rangers who were chasing their first senior camogie title was a pulsating contest that ended with a dramatic finish.
Leading 2-6 to 1-6 with time running out, the Myshall girls were on the verge of victory, but the resilience of the Borris girls paid dividends.
Wing-forward Marie Coady picked up possession 25 metres from the Myshall goal before her dipping shot deceived goalkeeper Mary Nolan.
Truthfully, the Borris girls were outplayed by their superior opponents during the second-half and they didn’t play with as much conviction.
Naomh Eoin led splendidly by the magnificent Ciara Mullins upped their work-rate significantly in the second-half, as team trainer Denis “Rackard” Coady issued stern words to his charges following a very sloppy first-half.
Mullins constantly led the Myshall charges when her team-mates around her were struggling.
She played with the gusto of heart and vengeance, displaying great intelligence in attempting to play the simple pass to a colleague in space.
Taking a lot of hardship, Mullins managed to bustle her way from the danger area, as she drove forward with vigorous determination.
Olivia Maye, following an anonymous first-half, sprung to life afterwards with a top class display as she scored a tally of 1-5. While the tireless Olivia O’Neill, the hard-working youngster Niamh Quirke, and the determined duo of Leanne Joyce and Pamela Whelan defended stoutly in leading the Myshall response.
Their opponents were ably led by the industrious Jenny Stapleton in midfield, goalscoring heroine Marie Coady, Theresa Ralph and Clodagh Byrne, who deserve immense credit for refusing to relinquish ground.
Theresa Ralph opened the scoring with a pointed free in the first-minute before a nine minute barren scoring spell occurred.
However, the Myshall ladies struck the lead when a poor puck-out by Roisin Byrne, saw Olivia O’Neill race through the defence unmarked before she dispatched her shot with consummate ease. 1-0 to 0-1.
The Borris ladies responded and after Theresa Ralph converted a ’45 in the 14th minute, Ann Murphy made a devastating run through the heart of the Myshall defence before blasting her low shot past a hapless Mary Nolan. 1-2 to 1-0.
Buoyed on by that goal, Ralph added three consecutive pointed frees between the 21st and 24th minutes as the ‘Rangers’ surged clear. 1-5 to 1-0.
Olivia Maye concluded the scoring with a first-half pointed free as Mount Leinster Rangers led 1-5 to 1-1 at half-time.
Inspired by the half-time team talk, the Myshall ladies started the second-half with all guns blazing.
Maye pointed a free before blasting a cracking goal following a lung bursting run by Olivia O’Neill. 1-5 to 2-2.
Maye and Theresa Ralph pointed frees in the 39th and 42nd minute respectively, before Niamh Quirke restored Naomh Eoin’s lead with a well taken point. 2-4 to 1-6.
Another storming run through the defence by Olivia O’Neill set up Rose Nolan in the 51st minute but her goal shot was smothered by the ever alert Clodagh Byrne.
Maye added a pointed ’45 in the 55th minute before Nolan set up Maye to fire over an all-important point.
However, Marie Coady’s late leveller was the final twist in the tail as a replay will be required which will take place on Saturday in McGrath Park, Bagenalstown at 2pm. The winners will have to play the Leinster club championship the following day.
Teams:
Mount Leinster Rangers: Roisin Byrne, Jean Brennan, Clodagh Byrne, Grainne Nolan, Ann Coady, Michelle Kelly, Catriona Scully, Jenny Stapleton, Margaret Coady, Marie Coady(1-0 ) Theresa Ralph(0-6 0-5 frees 0-1’45 ), Anne-Marie Ralph, Maura Gallahue, Ann Murphy(1-0 ), Karen Byrne,
Substitute: Fiona Byrne,
Naomh Eoin: Mary Nolan, Patricia Stacey, Sheila Ryan, Lily Slye, Teresa O’Neill, Leanne Joyce, Pamela Whelan, Ciara Mullins, Tara Wilson, Marion Doyle, Olivia O’Neill(1-0 ), Niamh Quirke(0-1 ), Nuala Quirke, Olivia Maye(1-5 0-3 frees 0-1’45 ), Catriona Brooks
Substitutes: Rose Nolan, Mairead Doyle
Referee: Jim Treacy, (St Mullins ).
