Cullion claim U14 B Camogie Cup after spirited final
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The Cullion U14 camogie team, winners of the U14 B Cup Final played in Crookedwood last Wednesday.Image 2 of 5
The Brownstown/Castlepollard U14 camogie team, runners-up in the U14 B Cup Final played in Crookedwood last Wednesday.Image 3 of 5
Shauna Brady of Brownstown/Castlepollard prepares to launch another attack on the Cullion goal.Image 4 of 5
Before the coin toss, the team captains were pictured with referee Kevin Rehill; from left: Neveah Walsh and Isabella Melligan of Brownstown/Castlepollard; and Róisín Ledwith, Elisa Buckley and Béibhínn Scally of Cullion.Image 5 of 5
Shauna Brady of Brownstown/Castlepollard seems to be clear of her Cullion opposition during the U14 B Cup Final in Crookedwood.The scoreboard told one story in Crookedwood on Wednesday evening last – the players told another.
Cullion won the U14 B Camogie Cup Final by 6-9 to 0-2, but Brownstown Castlepollard made them work for every yard in a contest played with pace, courage and heart.
Cullion announced their intentions early, striking for a goal and a point inside the opening five minutes. From there, Elisa Buckley and Béibhínn Scally took command around midfield. They ran tirelessly, won possession and kept the ball moving towards the forwards with such regularity that the Brownstown Castlepollard defence must have wondered whether Cullion were playing with a spare sliotar.
The Goldsberry twins, Aoife and Maria, made the most of that supply, and the Cullion forwards moved well and took their chances, building a lead that grew steadily as the evening went on.
Yet Brownstown Castlepollard did not let the occasion slip away. Their finishing did not bring the reward their efforts deserved, but their commitment never wavered. At centre forward, Fiadh Bray was a constant threat. Her runs with the ball repeatedly lifted the crowd, and she kept looking for a way through even when the Cullion defence stood firm.
Captains Isabella Melligan and Neveah Walsh led by example, battling to the final whistle. Behind them, full back Aoibheann Dolan faced wave after wave of attacks and responded with an outstanding defensive display. The score may have been one-sided, but her performance certainly was not.
Cullion’s skill and running power were a joy to watch, but all credit to the team from north Westmeath who will be back on the big camogie stage soon again.
Crookedwood club also deserve credit for presenting the ground so well and making their facilities available to the sizeable crowd.
Referee Kevin Rehill of St Munna’s handled the match with a light but effective touch. He was assisted by umpires Tom McNicholas, John Williams, Lorraine Leavy and John Fitzpatrick.
Cullion took home the cup, and deservedly so – but Brownstown Castlepollard left with something the final score could never measure: the respect earned by playing with spirit right to the end.