Derry Camogie Féile na nGael
The Féile is where memories are made and this was certainly the case when Ballinderry won the division 2 title at the Féile. “Memories” was the word of the weekend. And there is no doubt that there were special memories made. To quote Jane Adams, “memories that will last a lifetime”.
These girls never get ahead of themselves, they are professionals. They are cool, calm and collected. They know they have a job to do and they just go and do it. They are composure personified. They are the pinnacle of underage camogie in the county and beyond and we couldn’t be prouder.” These were the words of manager Blaithin Doonan in the aftermath of this historic achievement by this Ballinderry team.
Game 1
Naomh Eamann 0-0
Ballinderry 1-7
What a performance this was from the Derry team as they kept there Laois opponents scoreless for the whole game.
From the opening whistle the Derry girls took control of this game with sharpshooter Eva Forbes finishing the game with a goal and five points. Her teammates Ellen Cullen and Kerri Lee Mullen finished the scoring for there side.
At the other end of the pitch plaudits have to go to the girls at the back led by goalkeeper Larissa Mullan whose puckouts were pinpoint from the start of the game. The defensive unit led by full back Faye McGuckin kept the opposition scoreless for the whole game. This early performance boded well for the rest of the tournament for this side.
Game 2
Gailtir 2-1
Ballinderry 1-7
Nothing could sperate these sides as both sides brought home a point each from the second group game.
It was always going to be a challenging match. End-to-end action from the start. Ballinderry went 1-1 down in the first few minutes but never lost their composure. Emma McVey excelled in the middle of the pitch emulating the performance of her partner in the first game covering every blade of grass. This was the tournament where Eimear Crozier who really came into her own over the weekend, positioned herself perfectly to receive a brilliant pass from Sabia Bell. Bell fought hard, bravely won the ball, and held it up to find Crozier on the 21-yard line, who then finished into the net with ease. Ellen Cullen, ended with a score of 1-03 to ensure her side would come away with at least a point from this group game .
Game 3
Ballinderry 1-12
Blackwater 1-02
Ten points was the difference at the end of the final group game as Ballinderry got the better of their Wexford opponent’s ensuring top spot in the group.
It was the final group game the Derry girls were jittery at times, but once they gained momentum, they were an unstoppable force Lily-Rose McKinless who had just come onto the pitch when she found the back of the net inside the opening few minutes Though it was a scoring showcase, all these scores were the result of turnovers at the back, with Faye McGuckin, Aimee Ryan, and Ellen McGuckin expertly working the ball up to the attackers. Emily McGuckin was a powerhouse up front. It was Eve Forbes who top scored with 0-6 along with 0-4 from Ellen Cullen and a point each from Eimear Crozier and Kerri Lee Mullan.
Semi Final
Éire Óg 0-0
Ballinderry 4-10
The Derry side made light work of there Kildare counterparts running out twenty two point winners.
The first five minutes of this semifinal set the tone, with Sienna Bell and Caoimhe McKeown scoring points early on. Abaigh Rocks, Raiesha Ryan, Cara Rose Mullan, Sarah Jane Rocks, Aine Logan, Leah Loughran and Lara McGuckin all made their Feile debuts in impressive fashion.
As Ballinderry took control this resulted in Casey McKinless working a beautiful one-two with Eva Forbes, who finished coolly into the net It was a confident and composed display all around, capped off by Eva Forbes' top-drawer penalty to the roof of the net – a beautifully struck shot. Ballinderry were finding it easier to score with Kerri Lee Mullan adding 1-1 to her tally for the tournament with Cullen adding another impressive four points along with Ellie Gilligan, Crozier and Bell who finished off the scoring.
This set up a mouthwatering all Ulster final with Antrim side Cushendall
Cushendall 1-4
Ballinderry 1-7
Only a goal separated these tow northern rivals on the final whistle with the Derry girls coming out on top and making sure they would bring the cup home to Ballinderry on Sunday.
Cushendall started stronger they were clearly ready for this. But were this strong battling Ballinderry side The sideline was frustrated, and our supporters were nervous as Cushendall started to gain control It was an end-to-end battle, with only the bare minimum separating the teams. At halftime, there were tears, aches, pains, and high emotions. All that was left was fifteen minutes between the Derry girls coming out victorious or not.
After the break, up stepped Kerri-Lee Mullan and Dairine Campbell, leaders by name and nature as they started taking control. Then came another long ball from, which was duly put in the net by Eva Forbes. The Derry girls then pushed on and closed the space at the back with Ailise Musgrave producing some fine defending and outstanding blocks and duly helped by her teammates who all worked hard as the final whistle loomed
In the final phases of the game the Antrim side narrowed the gap with a goal of their own. There were shots from both sidelines as no one knew where this was going to go but Ballinderry bench made an impact with Shilegha Hughes making an impact. With the last play of the game victory was unsured for the Derry side as Eimear Gilligan put three between the sides just before the final whistle.
After the game manager Blaithin Doonan gives us her thoughts on her side’s unbelievable achievement. “This victory took every single girl to get it over the line. Everyone participated. Everyone contributed. We have 26 history makers in Ballinderry Shamrocks. We scored a total of 8-43 on the day – but we only conceded 4-07. Amazing statistics. This speaks volumes about the work that took place all over the pitch.”
It also has to be added that this team could go on and make even more history in the ladies’ football Féile. “The same girls are in the all-Ireland football feile final. And if we win. We will be one of the few clubs in Ireland to have done the double in 30/50 years of Feile.
Managers
Shauna Forbes
Sinead Crozier
Blaithin Doonan
Coaches
Clodagh McKinless
Deirdre McGuckin
Roisin Egan
Squad : Larissa Mullan
Aimee Egan
Faye McGuckin
Ellen McGuckin
Alisha Musgrave
Dairine Campbell
Rionach Conlon
Eva Forbes
Emma McVey
Kerri Lee Mullan
Ellen Cullen
Eimear Crozier
Sabia Bell
Emily McGuckin
Grace McVey
Abbaigh Rocks
Caoimhe McKewon
Sophia O’ Neill
Lara McGuckin
Shileigha Hughes
Sienna Bell
Leah Loughran
Casey McKinless
Ellie Gilligan
Lily Rose McKinless
Kasey Musgrave.
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