Loughlins ladies add all county league success in downpour

St. Canices Credit Union Junior Division 1 All-County Camogie league final

O'Loughlin Gaels 0-6

Young Irelands (Gowran) 0-2

By Michael O'Leary

Miserable rain played in wintry underfoot conditions spoiled the spectacle of last Saturday's All-County Junior league final in Tom Ryall Park, Kilmanagh between O'Loughlin Gaels and Young Irelands. Truthfully, it was conditions more suited to scrums foraging for possession in a Rugby match, as scores were awfully hard to come by.

However, the contest was nowhere near as bad as the score line indicated. One had to take the deteriorating conditions into account, and both teams gave a major effort in the deplorable weather, but O'Loughlin Gaels overall were a far superior stronger outfit. Defensively, they were superb inspired by a magnificent towering by centre-back, Zimbabwean born Samantha McGuni.

McGuni never yielded an inch to her opponents, and her defensive cover in protecting the full-back line was top class. Laura Butler, Stephanie Buckley and the trojan working Shauna Brennan also performed well in defence.

Goalkeeper Lizzie Kavanagh and an assured and confident presence between the sticks in such miserable conditions. The grafting Annie Dunne worked trojanly in midfield, and during the second-half she constantly drove forward at every opportunity.

The Gowran girls were left to rue whole host of scoring chances in which they shot 6 wides during the opening-half, and also squander numerous free-taking chances. The scoring tally for both halves was the same with O'Loughlin's winning 0-3 to 0-1.

It's been a great year for the City club. They have now added the all-county league title to the Junior B title in which they defended a few weeks ago, while also in early July, they landed the Roinn C Under-14 title.

Also, they have an under-21 quarter-final clash next Saturday to look forward to at home to Ballyhale Shamrocks in the B championship, in which 12 of their starting 15 from the Junior B final team started in their emphatic victory over Mooncoin last weekend. No question O'Loughlin Gaels are a club on the rise.

For the Gowran girls, major disappointment as a whole host of the team experience their third final defeat in a month following defeats in the Junior final and Minor Championship final. However, they're a young team, and without doubt, they will contending for honours in the years ahead.

Jane Larkin Flynn, Aoife Nolan and Sarah Buckley were on target for the winners during the opening-half as points from Sarah Burke and a brace of superb efforts from play by Amy Byran added to their tally. Laura Fennelly(1 free) was Young Irelands only score getter on a day where they let down by wasteful shooting.

Best for the Gowran girls were Ann Drea, and the tenacious Niamh Quinlan.

Player of the Match: Samantha McGuni(O'Loughlin Gaels)

The word Camogie has probably been never spoke of in Zimbabwe, but Zimbabwean born Samantha McGuni gave an immaculate display at centre-back.  Her position was excellent.

Scorers - O'Loughlin Gaels - Amy Byran 0-2, Jane Larkin Flynn, Aoife Nolan, Sarah Buckley(free), and Sarah Burke 0-1 each

Young Irelands (Gowran) - Laura Fennelly 0-2(0-1 free)

Teams

O'Loughlin Gaels - Lizzie Kavanagh, Laura Butler, Stephanie Buckley, Kate Nolan, Shauna Brennan, Samantha McGuni, Ena Kearns, Annie Dunne, Karen Galvin(captain), Sarah Burke, Aoife Nolan, Sarah Buckley, Mags Shorthall, Jane Larkin Flynn, Amy Byran,

Subs: Eimear Rodgers, Kate Walsh,

Young Irelands (Gowran) - Orlaith Byrne, Mary Carroll, Ann Drea, Kelly Treacy, Elaine Rudkins, Maggie Simpson, Niamh Quinlan, Lizzie Byrne, Ruth Loughlin, Aisling Carey, Cara O'Neill(captain), Nessa Farrell, Paula Farrell, Laura Fennelly, Eibhlin Fogarty,

Subs - Fionnuala Quinlan

Referee: Julian O'Dwyer (Windgap)