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Mighty Thomastown stroll to emphatic victory
St. Canices Credit Union Roinn A under-16 Camogie final
Thomastown 3-14
Windgap 1-2
By Michael O'Leary
Thomastown Camogie club is on the crest of a wave following the success of the Senior girls in winning the league title along with Under-14s in reaching the Feile semi-finals. The Grennan outfit have been producing players at under-age over the last decade, and this latest crop of under-16 girls are a magnificent bunch.
They produced a fantastic team display last Saturday afternoon at sun drenched Bennetsbridge, as an unstoppable 1-7 without reply in a ten minute spell between the 39th and 49th minutes ended the Boro challenge. 3-12 of their total came from play with their forwards running riot.
Niamh Donnelly displayed her class at full-forward scoring 2-5 - 2-4 from play - while the Farrell sisters Ciara and Aoife made a major impact, along with strong running Sarah Walsh who despite not scoring worked trojanly, and during the second-half she constantly tracked back to aid her defensive colleagues.
The catalyst for Thomastown's victory was captain fantastic Megan Farrell who gave an EXTRAORDINARY performance. Megan dominated from start to finish, and she was sensational. She operated as an extra defender, to close down space for Dicksboro to find gaps, while relentlessly surged forward in possession set up attacks.
One for example of her brilliance came in the 23rd minute. She sent the perfect long cross field diagonal ball into path of Niamh Donnelly, who expertly applied the finish striking an excellent point. Great credit must also go to the Thomastown defence who were supremely magnificent.
Especially the full-back line of the colossal Niamh Quigley, the strong pursuing Sinead Whelan who never gave an inch, and also Alice Carey who was just awesome never allowing her direct opponents a clear path to shoot goal wards. A low scoring first-half saw Thomastown lead 0-5 to 0-2 at the interval, before Aoife Farrell pointed to extend the advantage further.
Scores were difficult by, but Dicksboro replied with a well taken goal from the skilful Jenny Clifford in the 37th minute. Game on, and it appeared a titanic second-half was ahead, but Thomastown put the gas on the accelerator and their opponents hadn't the answers. Four points in four minutes started the scoring rout from Niamh Donnelly and three in succession from Ciara Farrell restored their dominance.
The Donnelly sisters Eimear - following a scintillating run from Sarah Walsh - and Niamh along with Aoife Farrell pointed to extend the advantage further, before victory was confirmed for definite in the 48th minute courtesy of a Niamh Donnelly goal following good work from Sarah Walsh and Ciara Farrell. Megan Farrell pointed in the 49th minute, before goals late on from Niamh Donnelly and Ciara Farrell confirmed their destroying dominance.
Boro were best served by Jenny Clifford and full-back Danielle Kenny who was magnificent in the first-half on Niamh Donnelly, before Thomastown ran riot. Scorers - Thomastown - Niamh Donnelly 2-5(0-1 free), Ciara Farrell 1-3, Megan Farrell 0-3(0-1 '45), Aoife Farrell 0-2, Eimear Donnelly 0-1
Dicksboro - Jenny Clifford 1-2, Eva Maher 0-1.
Player of the match: Megan Farrell (Thomastown),
Plenty of stars but Megan Farrell was just majestic in a magnificent team display. Refer to match report. Just shades the equally exceptional Alice Carey.
Teams
Thomastown - Niamh Bolger, Alice Carey, Niamh Quigley, Sinead Whelan, Orlaith Butler, Jessie Carroll, Maeve O'Connor, Aislih Butler, Megan Farrell(captain), Sarah Walsh, Ciara Farrell, Johanna O'Hanrahan, Aoife Farrell, Niamh Donnelly, Eimear Donnelly,
Subs: Anna Walpole, Aine Butler,
Dicksboro - Aoife Prendergast, Jenna Sherwin, Danielle Kenny, Emma Bawle, Ciara Conefery, Gillian Kavanagh, Aideen Doheny, Ciara Tyrell, Rachel Lynch(captain), Eva Maher, Laura Lacey, Kirsty Maher, Niamh Browne, Alex Lawless, Jenny Clifford,
Subs: Michaela Delaney
Referee: John McCormack
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