Camross 3-9 Naomh Eamon 3-7
Laois Minor ‘A’ Camogie Final
Neutrals in Kelly-Daly park Rathdowney wished for extra time or a replay and even the winners would have been happy to play again.
A week earlier, because Mountrath was unplayable and no other venue could be located the game was rescheduled to Rathdowney on Saturday.
Conditions were perfect, a large crowd packed into the venue and Camross set the early pace and after Lara Culliton struck a goal, Naomh Eamon settled and dominated for the next fifteen minutes.
In that time they hit Camross for two quick goals by Emma Jane Cuddy.
With Camross hemmed into their own half, points by Aoife Daly and Erin Walsh kept Camross just in front but Naomh Eamon produced another fine move that yielded the games fifth goal.
This time it was Emma Callaghan who finished a great move and at half time Naomh Eamon led 3-3 to 2-2.
The cross field breeze slightly favoured Camross playing into the Pavillion end but Aimee Byrne extended the Naomh Eamon lead with an early point.
Camross responded with a great goal by full forward Lara Culliton, Erin Walsh followed with a point from play but Naomh Eamon replied a fine point by centre back Katelyn Shore.
Then as excitement mounted Camross struck two points inside a minute the first by Amy Dowling and immediately by Erin Walsh to level the game.
Amy Byrne converted a free from an acute angle and the lead was back with Naomh Eamon and ten minutes remaining.
Camross then had a great point by Tara Lowry and it was all square again and five minutes still to play.
Camross went on a solo run down the left wing and midfielder Aoife Daly floated over a great point, Naomh Eamon won possession but were to lose the ball which Camross capitalised upon and a good passing movement saw Lara Culliton fire between the uprights and a minute later the final whistle sounded.
These two have produced some great games at this level in recent times and this was up there with the best of them, naturally Naomh Eamon were bitterly disappointed but sportingly came across to congratulate their conquerors, many of whom are class mates in Mountrath Community School.
After the game Camross joint captains Annabelle Ryan and Tara Lowry were presented with the winners trophy.
SCORERS – Camross: Lara Culliton 2-1, Erin Walsh 0-4 (three frees), Ali Cuddy 1-0, Aoife Daly 0-2, Amy Dowling and Tara Lowry 0-1 each Naomh Eamon: Emma Jane Cuddy 2-2, Emma Callaghan 1-1, Aimee Byrne 0-3 (two frees), Katelyn Shore 0-1
CAMROSS: Ciara Kennedy; Annabelle Ryan, Ciara Peavoy; Ava Guilfoyle, Sarah Cuddy, Leah Rice; Ella Cuddy, Aoife Daly; Ali Cuddy, Tara Lowry, Eva Dowling; Amy Dowling, Lara Culliton, Erin Walsh; Subs Louise Bergin for Eva Dowling (52)
NAOMH EAMANN: Meabh Peters; Aoibheann Dalton, Kate Phelan, Sarah Phelan; Shannon Conroy, Katelyn Shore, Ella Phelan; Alison Parkinson, Caoimhe Cuddy; Aimee Byrne, Tara Phelan, Laura Phelan; Katie Kavanagh, Emma Jane Cuddy, Emma Callaghan; Subs Sarah Lalor for Alison Parkinson
REFEREE: Kieran Bowe (Rathdowney-Errill)
SEE ALSO – Check out our dedicated ’10 minutes on’ Talking Sport Podcast series focusing on various Laois clubs
