Down camogs excel to grab All-Ireland Minor Shield glory

1 May 2013

WHEN the going gets tough the tough get going. That can be said of both the management and players of the Down minor camogie team.

The planning and build-up to the match had been badly hampered with player injuries and unavailability. However the show must go on and up stepped ten of the U-16 squad — ready, willing and, as their performances showed, very capable camogie players.

A delighted manager Paul Boyle exclaimed afterwards: “This is a really special victory for the girls. We have worked very hard to build on the success of last year in the B grade and to date we have not had the rub of the green in terms of results.

“Today’s scoreline is unfair to the Waterford girls because they really deserved more from the game in terms of scores on the board but they came up against a really determined Down defence today and the girls drafted into the team really seized their opportunity to impress.

“Our midfield, forwards and subs all played their part today and I am really proud to associated with such a great squad and coaching team.”

In the back line Catriona Caldwell and Dearbhla Magee slotted in perfectly into defensive plan and Sophie L Clarke and Kate McAleenan were very industrious in the full forward line.

Down were first to get on the score board with BrÍd McGourty pointing a free and Anna Rogan’s long range shot deceiving the Waterford goalie to open a four-point lead.

The Déise girls reacted by putting the Down defence under enormous pressure but outstanding skill, organisation and discipline in the back line restricted Waterford to two points from frees.

Aislinn McFarland and Jenna Boden stood tall time after time to dispossess the forwards and Clare McGilligan, Olivia Boyle with Catriona Caldwell and Dearbhla Magee swept the ball away from the danger zone. Orla McLogan looked her assured self in goal, anticipating the breaking ball and fabulous long, accurate clearances.

Aoife Keown worked tirelessly in midfield with Ciara Gibson to swing the game back into Down’s favour and it was very busy Anna Rogan who stroked over a point to get the score board ticking over again.

The inside forward line’s patience were rewarded when Niamh Rogers latched on to a breaking ball and drove it low into Waterford’s net.

Waterford came fighting back but the Down players responded and they were rewarded with a Kate McAleenan point.

Down had a great opportunity to really stamp their authority on the game when Aimee McAleenan drove through the centre of the defence, drawing the last two defenders, but her shot was well blocked when a pass to Anna Rogan looked the better option. Half time: Down 2-3 Waterford 0-2.

Down came on to the field at the start of the second half with renewed vigour, determination and purpose. They really meant business.

The Inspirational Aoife Keown exploited the weakness in the Munster side with a well-placed shot from long range into the top left hand corner of the net.

Waterford came back again at Down but could only manage a point from a free. Down’s half backs began to take control and Dearbhla Magee long accurate clearances set the forwards alight.

An individual BrÍd McGourty goal and further point from Niamh Rogers pressed home the Mourne girls’ advantage.

The icing on the cake came when Dearbhla Magee soloed down the right wing and hit a beautiful ball into the advancing Sophie L Clarke whose high catch, step in and missile-like shot to the net would grace any game of camogie or, indeed, hurling.

Further points from Aimee McAleenan and Anna Rogan sealed the deal for the Down girls.

The judges had a very difficult time deciding the player of the match award with Aislinn McFarland, Jenna Boden and Aoife Keown being serious contenders but in the end it was awarded to young Dearbhla Magee for her magnificent performance at right wing back.

Best wishes to Clare McGilligan who receive a nasty cut but return to the field of play to complete the job for her team.

Down squad: Orlagh McLogan, Aislinn McFarland, Jenna Boden, Catriona Caldwell, Clare McGilligan, Olivia Boyle, Dearbhla Magee, Aoife Keown (acting captain) Ciara Gibson, Anna Rogan, Aimee McAleenan, Bríd McGourty, Sophie Louise Clarke, Kate McAleenan, Niamh Rogers, Catherine Rock (captain), Nicola O’Gorman (injured), Claire Greeran (for McGilligan, blood), Niamh Brown (for Gibson), Jenny Smyth (for Clarke), Nicola McCabe (for McAleenan), Hannah Malone, Aisling O’Neill, Niamh Warnock.

Down 5-8

Waterford 0-4

ALL IRELAND MINOR B SHIELD FINAL

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