O'Mahonys edge out Na Fianna in camogie decider

Navan O’Mahonys...4-8

Na Fianna...1-14

Colin O'Brien

O’Mahonys claimed the Minor camogie championship at a sunny Dunganny after a pulsating Minor A Camogie final encounter with last year’s minor champions Na Fianna.

Having defeated Dunderry, Ratoath, Kiltale/BHG and Na Fianna in the group stages, the pressure was on the Navan girls to keep their unbeaten run going.

In keeping with previous clashes between these two clubs at various underage levels over the years, the outcome was in the balance until the final minutes. On this occasion, it was supporters of the blue and white hoops that went home happy.

Playing with the aid of the wind in the first half, the Na Fianna girls were quickest out of the traps. A series of shrewd positional changes to their team meant that major surgery had to be carried out to the O’Mahonys defence in the first ten minutes as the Navan girls tried to get their preassigned match-ups right.

They adapted well but Na Fianna got the upper hand and went about building a lead. After 20 minutes the scoreboard read 0.07 to 0.01 in their favour and although working hard, the O’Mahonys forwards were finding it increasingly difficult to get free of their direct opponents.

An excellent point from a long range free by Amanda Feeney, whose striking was exemplary throughout, halted the Na Fianna momentum. When Cara Ratty goaled with a trademark rasper to the far corner of the net minutes before the break, suddenly the O’Mahonys supporters had something to get behind. Massive credit must go to the six O’Mahonys backs in that first half.

While they were under ferocious pressure at various stages, they did not break and thanks to some timely interventions from Moya Tansey, Kitty O’Rourke, Caoimhe McKenna and the ever-composed captain Eva Stewart behind them , they were able to keep their goal intact. This was to prove crucial later on.

Two points down at the break, with the wind now at their backs, it was time for the Navan girls to step up. To borrow a phrase from Tipperary’s Liam Sheedy, they “Got the overalls on” and got stuck into the work.

The tireless duo of Anna Gardiner and Zoe Shakespeare began to edge the contest around the middle of the field. Rebecca Coen now at centre back was marshalling her defence superbly from the pivotal position. Milly Murray, who had come on at half time, used her athleticism to tremendous effect to sweep across the back line.

The hard running of the Navan half forward line of Annie Hogan, Izzy Kinsella & Lauren Woods began to cause major problems for the Na Fianna rearguard. Excellent points from play from Hogan coupled with a beautiful effort on the turn from Erin Troy, who had come into the forward line for the skillful Grace Gardiner, was followed by an opportunist goal from the livewire Ruth Stewart.

And still Na Fianna would not go away. Clearly unwilling to relinquish their minor crown they fought hard to stay in the contest. A couple of points whistled over the O’Mahonys crossbar that on another day could have ended up in the net.

During this tense period midway through the second half, both teams tried to land the knockout blow. Caoimhe McKenna’s booming puckouts were a massive launching pad for the Navan girls while Dayna Keogh was putting in one of her trademark all action displays that make her such a favourite of the Brew Hills supporters.

A further Navan goal from Annie Hogan settled nerves somewhat and was followed by some classy long-range points by Izzy Kinsella & Lauren Woods. This pushed the lead out to 7 points with time almost up. Normally a comfortable lead but against Na Fianna, anything but !

With players on both sides now cramping up, O’Mahonys were in the very lucky position to be able to call on the experienced trio of Grace Cahill, Abbie McCullagh & Aoife Potts from the bench as the game entered the melting pot.

A late flourish from the Baconstown girls which registered a goal and a point left Navan nerves shredded. In the most dramatic of finales, the O’Mahonys girls somehow held their heads to see out the game.

Boardsmill official Gerard Smith, who contributed massively to the game with his unfussy approach throughout, signaled the end of the match. O’Mahonys three-point victors after an absorbing contest!

Captain Eva Stewart accepted the Minor Cup on behalf of her delighted teammates. Apart from the 20 girls on duty in Dunganny, special mention must also go to their teammates Aoibhinn Kielty, Neasa McDermott and Isabella Mallon, who were away for yesterday’s final but who each made vital contributions across the earlier rounds.

Navan O'Mahonys - Eva Stewart, Kitty O’Rourke, Moya Tansey, Dayna Keogh, Caoimhe McKenna, Amanda Feeney (0.02 f), Zoe Shakespeare, Rebecca Coen, Anna Gardiner, Annie Hogan (1-2), Izzy Kinsella (0.01), Lauren Woods (1-2), Ruth Stewart (1-0), Cara Ratty (1-0), Grace Gardiner. Subs - Milly Murray for Tansey , Erin Troy (0-1) for Gardiner , Grace Cahill for O’Rourke , Abbie McCullagh for Stewart , Aoife Potts for Keogh.