Barntown 1-5 Ferns 2-1

An early start proved vital for Barntown in this year’s Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Rackard League Roinn B camogie final. Despite building a four point lead in the first twenty minutes, a Ferns side with a never-say-die attitude dogged them until the very final whistle.

In a sunny Wexford Park, events looked to be all going to plan for Barntown when Jane Duggan soloed through and put her team four points ahead. Ferns ripped up this script when they roared back to life with a goal through Leah Guinan just before halftime.

The second half was an exhibition of long striking, end-to-end action and a good mix of hurling all around. Anna Kavanagh and Megan Hayes played a lot of ball forward for Ferns, but time and time again wily defenders Áine Connolly and Sridevi Sinnott were there to mop up any loose ball.

Ferns scored the first point of the new half when a wayward shot out the field was kindly deflected over the Barntown crossbar. As both teams battled intensely in the middle third, there was no score until the 12th minute when Jane Duggan used the time and space afforded to her to put the ball over the bar.

Minutes later, Ferns set up a grandstand finish when Éabha Doyle buried the ball into the back of the net. With only a point between the teams, the players intensity was matched only by their supporters. Some valiant defending on both sides saw no further score in the remaining ten minutes. Barntown held on with the tips of their fingers to the trophy and simply refused to let go.

Barntown: Lauryn Murphy, Sophie White, Emma O’Leary, Ina Mullen, Áine Conolly, Sridevi Sinnott, Lara Butler, Sophie Conroy, Alice Hilliard, Katelyn Kent, Jane Duggan, Lydia Hunt, Zoe Wildes, Sarah Nolan, Sarah Conroy, Amelia Connick, Laura Carley, Keavy Doran, Sophie Kelly, Clara Hogan

Ferns: Orla Guinan, Leah Connor, Ruby Rellis, Casey McDonald, Alex Murphy, Anna Kavanagh, Megan Murphy, Mary Byrne, Megan Hayes, Leah Guinan, Ava Redmond, Éabha Doyle, Lisa Murphy, Sophie Sinnott, Ava Leacy, Tia O’Leary Carr, Leah Murphy, Niamh Lawlor, Bethany Reddin