Sr Máiréad Shield final
St Malachy’s Castlewellan 2-7 Assumption Ballynahinch 3-0
By Séamas McAleenan
ST MALACHY’S Castlewellan retained the Sr Máiréad Shield last Wednesday at Rossa Park Belfast with wins over Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in the semi-final and then a derby win over Assumption Ballynahinch who had beaten them in the qualification rounds last month.
Assumption overcame another Derry side, St Colm’s Draperstown, in their semi-final in the morning by 6-2 to 1-0. Assumption led by 2-2 to a goal from Brianna Toner at half time. The Ballynahinch scorers in that game were Eimear Rois and Molly Shackleton (2-0 each), Nina Gordon 1-1, Sophia Sims 1-0 and Lanna Bell 0-1.
St Malachy’s had beaten Gaelcholáiste by 8-1 to 0-0 and they came into the final in buoyant mood and quickly rushed into a three points’ lead with two points from Grace O’Reilly and another from Saorlaith McAleenan.
Assumption though put their opponents on the back foot for the rest of the half. Despite having a penalty saved by Eimear Croskery in the Castlewellan goals, they managed to grab an equalising goal through Sophia Sims before half-time.
Lana Bell scored a second goal for Assumption on the re-start and it looked at that point that St Malachy’s were losing their way. They needed something quickly and they got it from Abbie McCabe who fired over two points.
St Malachy’s immediately added goals from captain Grace O’Reilly and Erin Goodman to put them firmly in the lead. Assumption now needed a response and it came from their Player of the Tournament, Nina Gordon, who hit the Castlewellan net.
However, Aoife Burns and Rua Devlin dug in at the back with Erin Goodman dropping back for extra cover while Grace O’Reilly pushed up to hit two late points to close out victory for her team.
St Malachy’s have some nice talent coming through at this level and, along with those who collected the Shield last year, they should be able to push for more silverware over the next two years.
Meanwhile Assumption have had a spectacular season in camogie, with appearances in two All-Ireland finals after collecting three Ulster titles. It will be difficult to match that, especially as they now move up a grade. Nevertheless, there is some good talent coming through at this younger age group and they can still make an impact next season.
St Malachy’s: G O’Reilly 1-4, E Goodman 1-0, A McCabe 0-2, S McAleenan 0-1.
Assumption: S Sims, L Bell and N Gordon 1-0 each.
St Malachy’s: Eimear Croskery, Aoife Burns, Aoife McKenny, Rua Devlin, Kaelyn Ball, Grace O’Reilly capt, Saorlaith McAleenan, Abbie McCabe, Méadhbh McEvoy, Erin Goodman, Chloe O’Hare, Rebecca Collins, Niamh Brennan, Chloe Travers.
Assumption Panel: Molly Shankleton, Eimear Rois Farrell, Sian Cunningham, Nina Gordon, Lanna Bell, Sophia Sims, Tierna Rogan, Emily Boyd, Orla Corcoran, Aoife McDonald, Clodagh Collins, Una Savage, Emily Duggan, Alice Magee, Ella Rogan, Grace McCormick, Annie McKay, Erin McDonald, Meabh O’Hagan, Eabha McGovern.
