Byran strikes brace as Loughlin girls defend "B" crown

St. Canices Credit Union Junior Camogie B final

O'Loughlin Gaels 2-8

Conahy Shamrocks 0-5

By Michael O'Leary

The score line was very harsh on Conahy Shamrocks gallant attempt, as Amy Bryan's brace either side of half-time proved decisive as O'Loughlin Gaels defended their Junior B county title with an emphatic victory over Conahy Shamrocks in Tom Ryall Park last Sunday afternoon. A low scoring opening-half saw the sides level at 0-2 each, before the first decisive breakthrough came a minute into first-half injury-time.

A terrific angled ball played towards goal by the superb Karen Galvin saw Amy Byran smash her shot from an acute angle that proved unstoppable. 1-2 to 0-2 at the interval. The contest was beyond Conahy's reach in the 42^nd minute.

Amy Byran had added two further points to her first-half injury-time goal, when she squeezed the sliotar over the goal-line following good work from Sarah Buckley and Sarah Bourke as the city girls now held a commanding position. 2-5 to 0-3. Aoife Nolan and Karen Galvin added further points for O'Loughlins as Conahy kept plugging away with the O'Keeffe sisters Miriam and Noreen highly prominent as both pointed during the last 10 minutes. It was an efficient and hardworking display from O'Loughlins.

Full-back Stephanie Buckley along with the tenacious Laura Butler and centre-back Rebecca Cleere were solid in defence. Aoife Nolan when switched to midfield was magnificent as she did trojan work in defence, while linking forward in support with the attack. Captain fantastic Karen Galvin gave an almighty display in the middle area also constantly driving forward, and intelligently sending accurate ball to her attacking colleagues.

They may never have the word Camogie in Zimbabwe but Samatha McGuni worked tellingly in attack, while Amy Byran's 2-2 contribution obviously stood out. For Conahy, Mariga Nolan was imperious at full-back, the tenacious Aine Phelan was resolute at wing-back, the O'Keeffe sisters Miriam and particularly Noreen were superb in midfield. April Purcell despite not scoring was the pick of the forwards, as she won plenty of ball and distributed intelligently but without success.

Scorers - O'Loughlin Gaels: Amy Byran 2-2, Sarah Buckley 0-4(0-3 frees 0-1'45), Aoife Nolan and Karen Galvin(free) 0-1 each

Conahy Shamrocks: Noelle Corrigan(frees) + Noreen O'Keeffe 0-2 each, Miriam O'Keeffe 0-1

Player of the match: Amy Byran(O'Loughlin Gaels)

A number of superb displays on both sides. Aoife Nolan and Karen Galvin were superb for the winners,  while Noreen O'Keeffe was brilliant for Conahy, as full-back Mariga Nolan gave a magnificent display also. However, Amy Byran's 2-2 tally was the difference between the sides, and ultimately decided the destination of this contest.

Teams and player ratings:

O'Loughlin Gaels - Lizzie Kavanagh(6), Laura Butler(7), Stephanie Buckley(7), Kate Nolan(6), Shauna Drennan(6), Rebecca Cleere(7), Ena Kearns(6), Annie Dunne(5), Karen Galvin(8) (captain), Samantha McGuni(7), Aisling Butler(5), Sarah Bourke(5), Sarah Buckley(6), Aoife Nolan(8), Amy Byran(9),

Subs: Jane Maher, Karen Cleere, Margaret Shortall

Conahy Shamrocks - Jane Comerford(6), Patricia Cass(6), Mariga Nolan(8), Caroline Mullins(6), Lorraine Cass(6), Mairead Lawler(6), Aine Phelan(7), Miriam O'Keeffe(7), Noreen O'Keeffe(8), Noelle Corrigan(6), Sinead Corrigan(5) (captain), Aileen Cass(5), Anna Buggy (5), April Purcell(7). Suzanne Randle(5)

Subs: Emma Baldwin, Eimear Cass, Eimear Harding, Jamie Anne Cuddihy

Referee: Eugene Ryan