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PRIMARY CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL
KEADY V BALLYMACNAB
Ref: Kelly Mallon(Madden)
Our young primary team having faced
The girls met and got changed in their home grounds before making the journey by bus to Armagh Athletic Grounds where this primary final was taking place before an
The first half was very tight and the match started at a frantic pace, with both these young teams up for the task in hand, playing great competitive camogie. They were covering the entire field with great effect. Both sets of backs were under intense pressure but Nab were first to break the deadlock and register a score in the 13th minute when Eimear Smith scored a great point.
The Keady girls kept going regardless and their determination and great team play paid of in the 21st minute when star player Aimee Brennan pointed the ball from a free. That was the last score in the opening half but don’t be mislead by the scoreline as it was a thrilling wee game with the young girls on both teams showing skills way beyond their years. There was nothing separating these teams.
Halftime score Keady 0:1 Ballymacnab 0:1
Keady camogie legendery past player Maureen McCooey, present senior players – dedicated full back Eileen McGrory and talented sharp shooter Colette McKeever are the primary girls mentors. And these girls have a wealth of experience between them as they have been there and done it at all age levels. They made sure these young girls believed in themselves which was a smart move for Keady who went out fired up for action in this second half.
In the 4th minute Keady were awarded a free and Aimee Brennan powerfully struck the ball to score a brilliant goal. Aimee has the skill of a player years older and makes a wonderful captain as she leads by example. Forward Laura Cunningham is taking after her older sisters Margaret and Kerry with her camogie skills and no doubt listening to daddy Kevin who trains our U14 girls as she scored a fantastic goal in the 9th minute. It was a joy to watch.
In the 11th minute Aimee Brennan scored a point from a free. Ballymacnab worked themselves back into the game with a point in the 16th minute from the hurl of the skilful Eimear Smith. In the 18th minute the talented Sarah McMahon from Nab got a well deserved goal from play. This put just a goal between the two teams. This was very exciting stuff for all the spectators watching the game. But not so good for the old nerves!
Keady stepped up a gear and began to dominate all over the field. In the 23rd minute Aimee Brennan scored another goal from play. She followed this up a minute later with a fine point. Aimee was playing a stormer all day. Keady battened down the hatches, determined nothing more would be scored against them.
Goalkeeper Ciara Haws played great stuff and worked her hardest the whole match long. The backline of Aoife McCooey a strong confident player following in her older sister Catherine’s boots. Young Shauna Connolly is a great defender following in the footsteps of older sisters Catherine & Emma. Catherine Mone a great wee worker who works flat out. Dearbhla Murphy is a great all rounder just like her older sister Aoife, Sarah McGrory goes into every tackle never giving up, she is taking after her mother Eileen.
Emma Hughes in the midfield position works flat out and no doubt is taking tips from big sister Jodie U14 star player, and senior trainer daddy Paul. Eve McAtavey has improved beyond belief, she runs all day long like her big sister Amy who plays for the U18 team. Rosie Callaghan came on in the second half and she got stuck in straight away pulling on the ball brilliantly. Her younger sisters attend all her matches and she is setting them a fine example at camogie.
Alana McBirney is a brilliant support player and sets up many scores for the others. Again big sister senior player Danielle and mum Orlaigh must be passing on tip. Sinead takes after mum Maureen confident and competitive but always in control. Aimee McKeever’s
Roisin Doran is a fantastic wee forward don?t be mistaken by her size. Roisin can battle for a ball with the best of them and usually comes out with it from a tackle. She was very unlucky not to have scored herself in this match. Lauren Nugent has improved week after week. Niamh Harte is a star in the making she improved her skill level at every practice session. Ciara Mone and Alana McNamee, Ciara Mone, Dearbhla McGinn and young Laura O Neill have great camogie futures ahead of them with the primary team.
In the 24th minute Laura Cunningham to the delight of all her team-mates, trainers & every single Keady supporter surged forward and scored her second goal of the match. This was the last score of the day as the final whistle blew a minute later. The young Ballymacnab primary team had put up a very skilful, brave fight on the day but this Keady side knew when to apply the pressure and play delightful camogie.
Fulltime score-line:- Keady 4:3 Ballymacnab 1:2
Well done Keady all your hard work and determination in training has paid off today.
Marien McStay made the presentation of the primary championship cup to the Keady captain Aimee Brennan. Aimee also won the Player of the match award which was richly deserved. Congratulations to each & every primary player and their mentors Maureen, Eileen & Collette and to Fiona who had stepped in as liaison officer in recent weeks.
Many thanks also to the members of the senior panel who came along to lend their support to the clubs young girls. Thanks also to Paul Hughes for doing linesman and P.J. Brennan for doing umpire. Thanks also to Barry Mallon & Laura McGuinness from Madden for doing umpires. It was much appreciated. There was many a proud parent who had tears in their eyes. Hard luck to this young Ballymacnab primary team who had put up such a brave fight and have a great future ahead of them judging by today’s show of skill.
PRIMARY PLAYER OF THE MATCH
Congratulations to young Aimee Brennan who won the primary championship final player of the match award. Aimee’s outstanding skill was visible for all to see in this match, she was the day’s top scorer with 2 goals and 3 points. Mrs. Marien McStay the
Kind Regards
Fiona Harte-Powell( Keady club pro)
St. Patrick’s Keady Camogie Club,
Co.
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