Liatroim are champions

Liatroim are champions

30 October 2024

LIATROIM Fontenoys saw off Clonduff to add the Down U-16 camogie title to the U-14 crown they secured six days earlier.

The Fontenoys led from start to finish and their burst of 1-4 at the end of the opening period left Clonduff with a mountain to climb in the second half. 

The Shamrocks edged their way back into the game and were only a goal adrift entering the last five minutes before Liatroim fired home a goal and two points for an eight-point victory that slightly flattered them.

Gráinne McAleenan, who had captained the U-14s to victory last week, was sound in goal, with Enya McCrickard’s clearances a huge bonus to a hard-working defensive unit. 

Daire O’Shea and Cailin Burns put in a big shift in the middle of the field where Therese Cowan was a huge presence for Clonduff.

The Hilltown defence, led by Grace Kelly and Hannah Brown, dealt well with the Liatroim forwards despite Aoibheann Farrell and Orla Owens asking questions movement off the ball. 

However, the main impression leaving the game was that the winners had taken their chances while Clonduff were wasteful and cost themselves dearly.

Liatroim opened with the wind behind them and got up and running after three minutes when Burns shot from distance hit the back of the net.

They didn’t really build on that opener though and over the next 20 minutes, Cowan narrowed the gap with three points of her own to leave the score 1-1 to 0-3. 

Added time was to be expected as there had been a long stoppage early in the half for an injury, but no-one expected it to change the outcome as much as it did.

Méabh McAleenan’s excellent point in the 28th minute was quickly followed by a free from Aoibheann Farrell.

Farrell then collected a free at the start of injury time and fired into the Clonduff net.

Suddenly, Clonduff were facing a deficit of eight points – although they had the wind behind them.

Cowan’s early point from a free was cancelled by a similar score from Farrell at the other end before Ashlinn Byrne hit the Liatroim net in the 37th minute to bring Clonduff back into the game.

The Liatroim defence stood tall during the middle of the second half, relieved by pointed-frees from Daire O’Shea and Aoibheann Farrell.

‘Keeper McAleenan pulled off a superb save and under-pressure Clonduff were wide on at least three occasions when they might have grabbed points.

Nevertheless, three frees in a row from Cowan narrowed the gap at 2-8 to 1-8 with five minutes remaining. 

Liatroim needed a finish similar to that at the end of the opening half and they got it.

O’Shea and Farrell eased the pressure with a point each from frees and in the very last minute, Orla Owens 

sealed victory for Liatroim when she latched on to a free from Farrell to find the net.

A margin of eight points may have been harsh on Clonduff, but the Liatroim forwards were simply more clinical on the day.

Liatroim: G McAleenan, Estelle Austin, M Brannigan, M Clarke, E Savage, E McCrickard, Eloise Austin, D O’Shea (0-3 frees), C Burns (1-0), M McAleenan (0-1), A Farrell (1-6, 0-2 frees), A Burns, C O’Donnell, O Owens (1-0), E Willoughby.

Subs: A Warnock for E Willoughby (21).

Clonduff: C McPolin, B Kelly, H Brown, N McEvoy, A Fitzpatrick, G Kelly, A Hannaway, AR Carville, T Cowan (0-5 frees), A Power, C McConville (0-1), A Byrne (1-1), Z Kelly (0-1), E Morgan, R Binks.

Liatroim U-16 3-10

Clonduff U-16 1-8

DOWN U-16 CAMOGIE C’SHIP FINAL