Assumption through to final

Assumption through to final

3 January 2024

IN mid-November, just after the Assumption Ballynahinch U-16 camogie team collected the Junior Medallion Shield to add to the FMC Ulster Sevens Shield from early in October, the senior team made an inauspicious start to their group games with a 9-9 to 4-4 defeat by St Conor’s from Clady/Kilrea.

It seemed that the momentum gained by the under-age team had been lost – but not so.

Just a month later the seniors have qualified to meet St Conor’s again in the Senior Medallion Shield final, beating 2020 champions Sacred Heart, Newry, in the semi-final in St Malachy’s, Castlewellan, the Tuesday before Christmas.

They had bounced back from that early defeat with wins over St Dominic’s, Belfast, and Loreto, Coleraine, to make the knock-out stages as runners up in the group. 

Sacred Heart had won the other group and were favourites to advance to the decider that will be played mid-January.

In strong winds and rain showers in Castlewellan, Assumption fought their way to a 2-10 to 2-6 victory over Sacred Heart Grammar, Newry.

The game was effectively won in the first half when Assumption was playing with the wind on their backs. 

But it wasn’t going to plan after 15 minutes until Rose Carson was switched from defence into attack. 

The Liatroim Fontenoys player added more urgency in that area of the pitch as well as contributing a goal.

The other Ballynahinch goal came from Lena Mason and their team led by 2-7 to 1-2 at the break. 

Cora Croskery, Áine O’Neill and junior player Alannah McKay each scored a point with the seventh point coming via a free from Shannon Coulter.

The only downside to a very good opening 

half was the concession of a goal to Aghaderg’s county minor Niamh McGrath just before the break.

However, the East Down team needed have worried too much as the Assumption’s defence stood firm during the second half with Caitlin McGrattan, Erin Daly and Alannah McLaughlin all prominent with the half forwards ping back to provide extra cover. 

When Sacred Heart did get a shot in on goal, Erin Douglas between the posts dealt well with the danger.

At the other end a point from Rose Carson and two from Portaferry’s Caileigh McConnell more or less cancelled out Sacred Heart scores. 

Douglas managed to pull off a superb save near the end, but Síofra Doherty scrambled the rebound over the line. 

It came too late, however, to inspire a late smash and grab and Assumption saw the game out to set up a decider against St Conor’s who defeated St Malachy’s, Castlewellan, the previous Friday by 7-8 to 2-5 in the first semi-final.

Assumption: E Douglas, E McLaughlin, E Daly, T O’Neill, R Carson (1-1), C McGrattan, A McLaughlin, L Mason (1-0), S Coulter (0-1), A McKay (0-2), C Croskery (0-2), Á O’Neill (0-2), C Cultra, C McConnell (0-2), F Henderson.

Subs used: E McCabe, D O’Shea.

Sacred Heart: Z Greenan, C McCreesh, G Franklin, A Butterfield, B McAloon, E McAvoy, G Hand, M Tumilty (0-1), E Butterfield, G Clancy, S Doherty (1-0), O Crimmins (0-1), E Smyth (0-1), N McGrath (1-3), C Mullen.