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Under 16 A championship final
Ruairí Óg Cushendall collected their first Under 16 1A camogie title in quite some time with a dominant display in yesterday evening’s final in Glenravel.
The ‘Dall took control at the very start with two goals from nippy corner forward Eva McNeill and bossed the game from that point onwards.
Indeed Loughgiel net-minder Eimear McGivern was the busiest player on the field and coped extremely well, saving a number of one-on-ones through the course of the game.
Others in the Loughgiel team worked hard from start to finish, but on the night Ruairí Óg dominated with Abi McNeill and Orlaith McAllister playing strong roles at centre-back and centre-forward and everyone else weighing in behind them.
Those early goals from Eva McNeill, the youngest player on the pitch, put Loughgiel on the back foot and, although Alannah McKendry pulled a goal back for the Shamrocks, full-forward Niamh McNeill fired home a third Cushendall goal from close range to make the score 3-4 to 1-1 at the first water break.
Eva McNeill completed her hat-trick when play resumed but the Loughgiel defence held firm until a late goal from Orlaith McAlister made the score-line 5-4 to 1-2 at the change of ends.
Kady McNeill and Orlaith McCurry hit goals early in the second half despite a couple of brilliant saves from Eimear McGivern and then several fine points followed for Ellie Jo Butler and Cara O’Boyle. Orlaith McAlister completed a fine personal performance by scoring directly from a free close to the finish.
Elsewhere in the under 16 championship, the Division 1B final between Dunloy and St Paul’s had to be postponed, while Rasharkin overcame Lámh Dhearg in Ahoghill by 5-9 to 2-7 to collect the 2A crown and Gort na Móna beat Naomh Éanna by 1-6 to 2-0 in Division 2B.
Ruairí Óg : Louise Mulholland, Orla Kane, Eimear McMullan, Caomhie Morgan, Cliodhna O’Hara, Abi McNeill, Marie Claire McAllister, Laura Black, Cara O’Boyle capt. 0-2, Ellie Joe Butler 0-2, Orlaith McAlister 2-3, Kady McNeill 1-0, Orlaith McCurry 1-2, Niamh McNeill 1-0, Eva McNeill 3-0
Subs used: Rhianna Black, Annie Kearney, Erin Delargy, Maeve McAlister, Maeve Graham, Naoise McDonnell, Emily McNaughton, Amy McAlister
Loughgiel : Eimear McGivern, Anya Connolly, Erin Connolly, Aoife McMullan, Aoibheann Gillan, Anna McKillen, Zoe Cassley, Alannah McKendry 0-1, Shanna Deery, Anna McKillop 0-2, Eimear McKinley, Erin McGrath, Ciara Connolly 0-1, Eva McGarry.
Subs: Carla Dobbin, neela Clare, Clodagh Connolly, Sarah Flavin, Molly O’Hagan, Ciara Dillon, Orla Breen.