Junior A title success completes memorable campaign for Dunderry

This week Dunderry camogie players can reflect on a sweet victory. They won the Junior A Camogie championship defeating Kiltale in the final

The long anticipated Junior A Camogie Championship showpiece between Dunderry and Kiltale finally took place on a wintery Thursday evening in Dunganny. The pitch was in good condition for this time of year and credit to the grounds staff.

Both teams had a long build up to the final as their previous game was six weeks before they met in the final.

With both teams evenly matched when they met earlier in the championship it was always likely to be a close encounter. Whoever used this time off wisely was most likely to come out on top.

Dunderry played against a slight breeze in the first half. Both teams started the match at a frantic pace and with a lot of tackling and rucks being contested all over the pitch. Dunderry missed a couple of early frees and were yet to settle into the game.

Niamh Rattigan then got Dunderry off the mark with a fine point on her left side. Soon after, Hayley Allen went on a marauding run and got her shot off but the Kiltale goalie saved it but the sliotar came out to Eimear Daly who was on hand to’finish to the net. Dunderry were now 1-1 to the good after a slow start.

Kiltale started to get a foothold in the game and they dominated the last 15 minutes of the half. They scored 1-2 without reply and went into the lead. Hayley Allen scored a great point to draw up the game with 25 minutes gone.

Kiltale added another point and on the stroke of half time they scored a goal directly from a 45. Orlaith Daly pulled off some fine saves to keep her team in touch. Dunderry had it all to do in the second half.

Half-time - Dunderry 1-2 - Kiltale 2-3

Whatever was said at half-time to the Dunderry girls did the trick as they came out like a new team. Clodagh Loughran and Clodagh Fitzsimons picked up the pace around the middle and started letting the ball in quicker. Niamh Rattigan got on the end of one of their deliveries and scored a magnificent point over her shoulder running away from the goals.

This score seemed to kick-start Dunderry into gear. Clodagh Loughran then broke through the Kiltale defense and scored her a point. The gap was down to 2 and momentum was shifting.

Caoimhe O’Leary then won a free 50 yards out. Hannah Morgan stepped up and flighted a dangerous ball towards goal and it found its way into the back of the net. Dunderry were in the lead by one.

Dearbhla Brady entered the action and was deployed as a third midfielder and worked tirelessly throughout. Dunderry were defending well with Sophie Smyth starting to get on top and the ever reliable Olivia Hickey not letting much past. Kiltale got the next score from a free and the sides were level again. Kiltale hit the front for the second time with a score from play from their no 13.

Cayla Becton and Hannah Morgan then combined to set up Eimear Daly for a point to level up once again at 2-5 a piece. There were 15 minutes left and all to play for. Dunderry upped their work rate, especially in the forwards and started to turnover more balls. Eimear Daly got her second point from one of these turnovers.

The speedy Cayla Becton got on the end of a through ball and sprinted straight for the goal and put it over the bar to give her team a two point lead. Hayley Allen followed this up with a long range effort with just under 10 minutes remaining. Aoife O’Leary came on in defense to shore things up. The two Clodaghs were covering every blade of grass on the pitch, helping out their defense and forwards.

Kiltale went searching for the goal to draw the game up and nearly got it but Dearbhla Brady was in the right place when saving on the line.

Rebecca Lee and Grace Gallagher were putting their bodies on the line and blocking any ball that came near them. Katie Duffy entered the fray and she won a ball in the full forward line and fed Eimear Daly who duly dispatched it over the bar.

This put four between the teams with time nearly up. To Kiltale’s credit they never gave up and worked a couple of late goal chances. Orlaith Daly pulled off some wonderful saves throughout and especially late on and this was recognised as she walked away with the player of the match trophy.

The final whistle went and after a titanic battle, Dunderry had won by four points. Last year's junior B winners have now won back to back championships. There were scenes of jubilation and captain Eimear Daly was presented with the cup. The girls were met with crowds and a bonfire in the village.

Full-time - Dunderry 2-9 - Kiltale 2-5

Dunderry - Orlaith Daly, Alicia Gibney, Rebecca Lee, Grace Gallagher, Olivia Hickey, Sophie Smyth, Caoimhe Nì Laoire, Clodagh Loughran (0-1), Clodagh Fitzsimons, Hayley Allen(0-2), Hannah Morgan(1-0), Cayla Becton(0-1), Niamh Rattigan(0-2), Eimear Daly (1-3), Deirdre McHale. Subs - Katie Duffy, Molly O’Callaghan, Aoife O’Leary, Dearbhla Brady, Shelagh McKenna, Caoillain Smith, Brianna Rowan, Ruby O'Callaghan, Lia McEwan, Megan Leonard, Libby Clynch