Portroe finish strongly to claim Junior League title

CAMOGIE: Tipperary Junior ‘B’ League Final

Portroe 2-11

Gortnahoe/Glengoole 0-4

MATCH DIGEST

Player of the Match: Leila Madden (Portroe)

SCORERS – Portroe: Trish O’Halloran 1-3 (1-0 pen, 0-3 frees); Leila Madden 0-5; Sophia Madden 1-0; Grace Mulrooney 0-2; Rosie Staunton 0-1.

Gortnahoe/Glengoole: Eimear Power 0-2; Grace Campion, Ciara Gleeson 0-1 each.

Having been beaten in last year’s county championship final, Portroe gave a real statement of intent for this year’s championship with an impressive display and victory over Gortnahoe/Glengoole in the Tipperary Junior ‘B’ League final at The Ragg last Friday.

The final scoreline doesn’t reflect the game as a whole as Gortnahoe, who were unfortunately down a number of starters, enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to make it count on the scoreboard.

While Portroe finished with a flurry with 2-1 in the final five minutes, they were still the stronger of the sides from the outset and had the opening three points by the twelfth minute through two Trish O’Halloran frees, either side of a Leila Madden score from play.

Grace Campion, who always looked dangerous on the wing when in possession, got Gortnahoe’s first score a minute later but this was quickly cancelled out by Grace Mulrooney.

Moments later, a lovely pass from Grace Campion found Eimear Power and she took a shot on goal which was brilliantly saved by Nessa O’Driscoll in the Portroe goal. Gortnahoe could have really done with raising a green flag as they only managed one more score in the half, a point from Eimear Power.

Scores were coming easier for the North Tipp side and with Trish O’Halloran dominant at centre back, her long clearances were yielding plenty of scoring opportunities with Rosie Staunton and Leila Madden (2) keeping the scoreboard ticking in their favour. At half time Portroe led 0-7 to 0-2.

The opening twenty minutes of the second half were keenly contested as both teams traded points. The excellent Leila Madden and Grace Mulrooney were on target once again for Portroe with Ciara Gleeson and Eimear Power raising white flags for Gortnahoe.

With the clock ticking down, Gortnahoe went on search of a much-needed goal and created a number of chances which they failed to convert.

Despite a period of dominance for Gortnahoe it was Portroe who struck for a goal with Sophia Madden finding the net in the 54th minute. Two minutes later, Portroe were on the attack again and won a penalty with the experienced Trish O’Halloran coming up from centre back to make no mistake. She finished the scoring with a free two minutes later as Portroe ran out thirteen point winners.

Along with the aforementioned, others to impress for the winners were Jenny O’Halloran at full back and Michelle O’Halloran in midfield. For Gortnahoe, Kate Laffan worked tirelessly throughout with Grace Campion, Ciara Gleeson and Eimear Power were most dangerous in attack.

TEAMS - Portroe: Nessa O’Driscoll; Amy Murphy, Jenny O’Halloran, Grace Kennedy, Toni Kennedy, Trish O’Halloran, Sarah Murphy, Michelle O’Halloran, Katie Ryan, Grace Mulrooney, Yasmin Madden, Rosie Staunton, Alanna Freeman, Leila Madden, Sophia Madden.

Gortnahoe/Glengoole: Aoife Lanigan; Eimear Nolan, Kalyan Burke, Rachel Slattery, Niamh Lanigan, Kate Laffan, Chloe Barnaville, Ciara Hogan, Sarah Coady, Grace Campion, Therese Rochford, Ciara Gleeson, Aine Power, Eimear Power, Ellen Campion.

Referee: Jim Lees (Newport/Ballinahinch).