Holycross find second wind to edge Minor Camogie Final thriller

CAMOGIE: FBD Insurance Minor ‘A’ Championship Final

Holycross/Ballycahill 4-12

Slieve Felim Rapparees 3-10

Holycross/Ballycahill were crowned County Minor ‘A’ Camogie champions after a thrilling encounter with Slieve Felim Rapparees at the County Camogie Grounds last Wednesday.

Playing with the aid of a strong breeze in the opening period, Holycross settled quickly and took the lead after just four minutes when Elana McGrath opened the scoring.

The early exchanges were tightly contested, and two Annie Phelan frees helped put Slieve Felim into the lead. But Holycross gradually began to make their wind advantage count and Sarah Quinlan struck for the first of her hat-trick of goals after thirteen minutes to spark a period of Holycross dominance.

A powerful run from captain Issy Carr out of defence resulted in a fine score, while further points from Elana McGrath and Sarah Quinlan extended their lead.

Slieve Felim kept in touch through a pointed free from Abbie Phelan, but McGrath replied with a well-struck ’45 before Eimear Duggan’s composed finish found the net, putting Holycross 2-5 to 0-3 ahead after 21 minutes.

Moments later, Sophie Lee and Quinlan combined superbly, with Quinlan rifling the ball into the back of the net. Duggan followed up with a point, and Slieve Felim looked in real trouble at 3-6 to 0-3.

However, the Rapparees rallied before the interval. Alice Butler struck a vital goal and added a fine point, the latter coming after an excellent team move involving Abbey Challen and Brid Woodlock, leaving the half-time score at 3-6 to 1-4 in Holycross/Ballycahill’s favour.

Slieve Felim burst into life after the restart with the wind now at their backs. Few could have predicted the turnaround as full-forward Alice Butler netted twice in quick succession on 31 & 35 minutes, before adding another point. Michelle Lee then tied the game at 3-6 apiece after 42 minutes.

Remarkably Slieve Felim found themselves in front a minute later thanks to a superb long-distance score by Annie Phelan to cap off a superb purple patch that had Holycross on the back foot.

The champions-elect needed a response, and it came from substitute Sasha O’Keeffe, whose crucial score on 48 minutes sparked a revival. Elana McGrath followed with a point, and moments later Quinlan struck for her third goal to swing the momentum back in Holycross’s favour.

Izzy Carr added her second point before the hard-working Annie Phelan replied with a free for Slieve Felim. McGrath then split the posts again, though Phelan added two more frees to keep her side in touch.

However, Holycross had the final say with two pointed frees from Elana McGrath to seal a five-point victory. Both frees in the dying minutes were won by the impressive Sarah Quinlan who was a constant thorn in the Slieve Felim defence.

This was a superb team performance from Holycross/Ballycahill who absorbed the Slieve Felim fightback early in the second half before finishing strongly. Elana McGrath was a constant threat, while Sarah Quinlan’s hat-trick of goals proved decisive. Sophie Lee shone at centre-forward, while in defence Issy Carr and Louise McGrath excelled. Emily Mills had an outstanding hour in midfield.

For Slieve Felim Rapparees, Alice Butler and Michelle Lee were a dynamic duo in attack, while Orla Pamplin impressed after moving to wing-back. Zara Cosgrove worked tirelessly, and Annie Phelan covered huge ground from start to finish and scored some excellent frees.

Player of the Match: Sarah Quinlan (Holycross/Ballycahill).

Holycross/Ballycahill: Stella Carr; Louise Doyle, Amber Bannon, Faye Healy, Amy Lee, Louise McGrath, Issy Carr (Capt., 0-2), Emily Mills, Niamh Craddock, Ellen Ryan, Sophie Lee, Elana McGrath (0-7, 1 45, 2f), Anna Lanphier, Sarah Quinlan (3-1), Eimear Duggan (1-1). Sub used: Sasha O’Keefe (0-1).

Slieve Felim Rapparees: Lara Shanahan, Orla Pamplin, Jessie Shanahan, Molly Carr, Abbey Challen, Sarah Brennan, Zara Cosgrove, Annie Phelan (0-7f), Anna Carr, Brid Woodlock, Michelle Lee (0-1), Molly McLoughlin, Mairead O’Donoghue, Alice Butler (3-2), Amy Johnson. Sub used: Anna Kennedy.

Referee: TP Sullivan (Nenagh Eire Og).