Cushinstown 5-4 Clonroche 4-2

Clonroche and Cushinstown contested a high energy, entertaining Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Rackard League Roinn C Camogie final in Wexford park on Tuesday last, in a game that went right down to the wire.

The early moments of the game were dominated by the lethal carrying skills of Clonroche’s Faye Codd and Cushintown’s Katie Murphy who exchanged impressive scores. It was a case of anything that you can do, I can do better when both players then went on to score fantastic goals at either end in the seventh minute of play. When Ellie Kehoe levelled the game in the eleventh minute the game was bubbling nicely with lots of skills and long striking on display. There was also a nice bit of cut to the game as both teams competed intensely yet fairly for each ball encouraged by an appreciative crowd in the stand.

Clonroche went into the lead for the first time when Leah Murphy set up Faye Codd for her second goal of the half. Confidence unbroken, Cushinstown used the time remaining in the first half to stay hot on their heels and two Katie Murphy points brought the minimum between the teams before the break. A great save from Aisling Flood, with the help of the crossbar, helped keep Clonroche ahead 2-2 to 1-4.

Clonroche started the second half well and it wasn’t long before their newfound lead grew. Jamie Cummins set up Faye Codd with a neat groundstroke and this opened up a four point gap. Both goalkeepers were called into action as the game ebbed and flowed and Cushinstown battled strongly to regain a foothold in the game.

The final was sparked to life when a long, speculative shot from Cushinstown’s Fiona Lyng found the back of the net, putting a point between the teams once again. Cushinstown then turned the game on its head completely when they repeatedly attacked and somehow squeezed the ball into the back of the net for a second goal. Further drama followed when Lisa Murphy goaled for Clonroche to change the lead once more.

The defining moment came with five minutes remaining. Two goals in the space of thirty seconds from Katie Murphy sent the crowd wild and saw her team charge to a surprise five point lead. Some brave defending was then required as Clonroche threatened at the other end of the field with the clock ticking. Clonroche threw everything they possibly could at the Cushinstown defence but to no avail. Lisa Murphy and Rebecca Ogilvie did well to create a lot of late chances but these were dealt with admirably by a Cushinstown defence led by Cora McGrath. A bit of luck of luck on the day and a large dose of hard work won it in the end for Cushinstown but Clonroche could hold their heads up high for their brilliant performance at the final whistle.

Cushinstown: Gráinne O’Neill, Claire McCarthy, Caoimhe Cowman, Jessica Sutton, Cora McGrath, Fiona Lyng, Katie Murphy, Siobhán Murphy, Eabha Cullen, Tara Bookle, Elaine Aspel, Jemma Martin, Ciara Cummins, Ciara Kirwan, Anna O’Brien, Gemma Sinnott, Lilly Sommers, Aimee Stafford, Nicole Whitty

Clonroche: Aisling Flood, Siobhan Hudson, Elizabeth Dempsey, Aveen Cooper, Lisa Murphy, Chloe O’Neill, Rebecca Ogilvie, Ellie Kehoe, Faye Codd, Leah Murphy, Jamie Cummins, Shannon Redmond, Abaigh Murray, Aoife Fleming, Kate Earle Long, Eryn Buckley, Áine Doyle, Alanna Delaney, Makayla Flynn, Guevara Hughes