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LARRIES/ATHY U21 HISTORIC CAMOGIE CHAMPIONSHIP WIn

St Laurence’s/Athy U21 Camogie girls made a bit of history when they won the U21 Championship for the first time since 1985 when they beat Maynooth 1-2 to 0-3 after a blitz competition played in Oldgrange on Sunday. Matches were played twelve minutes per half with thirteen players each. The final result was greeted with scenes of great celebration by the Larries/Athy supporters but also the history books were out to determine when, despite their fantastic level of success at senior level, either Laurence’s or Athy had last won an U21 title. It turned out to be 1985, captained by Liz O Donoghue Byrne with Lily Bowden as vice captain and to bring the wheel full circle, Liz’s daughter was a leading player in bridging the many years gap.

Laurence’s qualified for the Final by drawing with Celbridge and then defeating Naas while Maynooth beat Cappagh and Johnstown Bridge to qualify from their group.

The Final was a closely fought affair with the teams level on two points each at half time with two Dearbhla Byrne points matched by points from Maeve Walsh and Louise Walsh.

After the restart came the decisive score when after Laurence’s/Athy attack led to a scramble around the Maynooth square Clodagh Glynn was at hand to strike the loose ball to the net to give Laurence’s/Athy a three point lead. Maynooth fought hard to get back on terms and narrowed the lead with a point from a free from Louise Walsh. Laurence’s/Athy resisted late Maynooth pressure and as the clock ticked down looked assured winners. However there was to be late drama when Maynooth were awarded a last minute close in free. Louise Walsh stood over the free and struck it really well but it rebounded off the cross bar and was cleared just as the final whistle blew to give Laurence’s/Athy a memorable victory

St Laurence’s/Athy had very good performance through out the field none more so than Dearbhla Byrne up front, Cheyanne Holmes in goal, Melissa O Neill, Muireann Fagin, Maggie Keatley, Shauna Moran.

St. Laurence’s/Athy, Cheyanne Holmes, Chloe Monaghan, Jenny Downey, Melissa O Neill, Aoife Flynn, Muireann Fagan, Maggie Keatley, Samantha Keatley, Alison Keatley, Naoise Berry, Shauna Moran, Dearbhla Byrne, Ellen Clancy, Bronagh Doran, Clodagh Glynn.

 

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