Shefflin stars for Shamrocks in Under 16 camogie county final

Just two points separated two talented sides when the Shamrocks (Ballyhale) and St Anne’s (Galmoy, Johnstown, Crosspatrick) collided in this under-16 Roinn C county final, which was played at a wet Palmerstown on Saturday.

The standard of camogie on view from both sides was nothing short of excellent, while the sheer workrate and commitment were a joy to behold. The weather conditions led to a low scoring encounter, but the entertainment value was high.

St Anne’s got off to a good start when Niamh Drennan pointed in the second minute from a free after a defender had overcarried, a misdemeanour which seems to be punished regularly in modern camogie.

Ballyhale’s best player Saidhbh Shefflin got her side off the mark a minute later after a 30 metre solo and she added a free in the seventh minute following a foul on her sister Siún.

A good through ball by the impressive Macey Downey found full forward Clea Whelan in the ninth minute and she levelled up the game.

In the 11th minute, Niamh Drennan foraged back on her half-back line. Winning possession, she sent a delivery straight to Clea Whelan who rounded her marker and struck to the Ballyhale net from 30 metres out to put St Anne’s in front.

Saidhbh Shefflin responded from play before she made a searing solo through the opposing defence. She offloaded to team captain Aoife Cassin, whose low shot went all the way to the St Anne’s net from 35 metres (1-3 to 1-2).

Siún Shefflin and Aoife Cassin added a point each to stretch the Ballyhale lead as their forwards were now pressurising the St Anne’s defence.

Niamh Drennan pulled back a point for St Anne’s after a foul on Clea Whelan in the 21st minute but three Shefflin frees, two of them from out on the right hand sideline, saw Ballyhale in front 1-8 to 1-3 at the interval.

In fairness St Anne’s had been playing courageously with Sinéad Henderson and Aoife O’Grady giving it everything at the back.
St Anne’s introduced Emily Delaney after the break and she, along with Saoirse Ryan, who had been introduced earlier, really made a huge difference to the St Anne’s attack.

Again it was Saidhbh Shefflin who pointed to extend her side’s lead.

St Anne’s now dug deeply and rearranged their side somewhat with Leah Daly going to half-back, while Isabelle Murphy had a great tussle, Siún Shefflin the second half. Sinéad Henderson really thundered into the game and had a brilliant second half.
Aoife O’Grady moved to full-back and played a captain’s role with many inspired clearances.

After Orla Duggan had saved a certain Ballyhale goal, Macey Downey won a ball at midfield and cleverly picked out Niamh Drennan with a short pass.

From 35 metres out, Drennan’s sizzling shot went to the roof of the Ballyhale net, reducing the deficit to a single score. She added a good point from play a minute later.

Like any good player, Saidhbh Shefflin took on the responsibility and made a run at the St Anne’s defence before pointing off her right and then extended the lead from a free in the 41st minute.

Strangely, this was to be her side’s last time to trouble the scorekeepers in this game, as St Anne’s threw everything into attack.

Niamh Drennan picked a point in the 42nd minute and a foul on the hardworking Saoirse Ryan saw her point a free in the 44 th minute (1-11 to 2-6).

The last quarter of this game was noteworthy for the fact that neither team managed to score, but it was the Ballyhale defence who were under sustained pressure throughout.

Taylor Ayward, at the heart of the defence, really stood out as she made a number of clearances while Molly Phelan on goal also thwarted St Anne’s on numerous occasions.

The North Kilkenny side gave their all but it was the Shamrocks who took the honours in what was a great advertisement for underage camogie in Kilkenny.

Teams and scorers

Shamrocks - Molly Phelan; Cara Coogan, Beibhinn Shefflin, Ciara Cleere; Sarah Ging, Taylor Aylward, Grace O’Farrell; Stelle Butler, Saoirse Walsh; Ava Darcy, Saidhbh Shefflin (0-9, 0-5 frees), Siún Shefflin (0-1); Aoife Cassin (captain, 1-1), Grace Denny, Eimear Grant.

Subs: Cate Hoyne, Eve Cummins.

St Anne’s - Orla Duggan; Laura Fogarty, Sinéad Henderson, Beibhinn Tobin; Isabelle Murphy, Aoife O’Grady (captain), Niadha Garrett; Macy Downey, Cora Doherty; Orlaith Corcoran, Niamh Drennan (1-5, 0-3 frees), Leah Daly; Ellen Nolan, Clea Whelan (1-1), Ciara Fogarty.

Subs: Saoirse Ryan, Emily Delaney, Helen Renehan.

Referee - Eamonn Larkin (James Stephens)