Castleknock Power Through To Junior 2 Camogie Final
01 Sep 2020

Castleknock 1-18 v Whitehall Colmcille 1-5

How you win a Semi-Final doesn’t really matter so it was especially pleasing to see Castleknock win this Junior 2 Camogie semi-final against Whitehall Colmcille in such style on a chilly, autumnal evening in Somerton (Sept.1), the performance all the more admirable when you consider that eight of the players were playing their second match in just over 24 hours.

Castleknock got off to the perfect start when not for the first time Eimear Stynes was the right player in the right place to drill home the game’s first goal a mere 70 seconds after the throw-in.

With the wind in their favour Castleknock kicked on from that goal to lead by 11 points, 1-10 0-2 at the interval, Whitehall’s only two scores coming from 45’s.

Ebha Mooney in goals was as solid as ever under the dropping ball while also in defence Hannah Bourke, Caoimhe Kavanagh, Caoimhe Sawyer and Sophie Browne snuffed out every significant Whitehall attack.

At the other end the total determination of Siobhan Roche produced two excellent scores and Mollie Turner hit six points, five from play, one a particularly classy effort from out on the right. Alana Prior and midfielder Eva Coughlan completed the first-half scoring.

As expected Whitehall took the game to Castleknock at the start of the second-half, getting two points within the first five minutes so it was vital to lift the siege and that’s exactly what the inspirational Mollie Turner did when landing a terrific point nine minutes into the half.

In the final quarter Emma Diamond then came to the fore, working extremely hard and firing over three fine points into the bargain. In the last 10 minutes with Whitehall’s spirit finally broken substitute Caoimhe Harrington, Siobhan Roche and Alana Prior added further points to seal a comprehensive home victory.

A noteworthy aspect of Castleknock play was the crispness and accuracy of their passing much of it to hand, a good omen for the Junior 2 Final now to come.

Castleknock: Ebha Mooney; Sarah Rafferty; Hannah Bourke; Caoimhe Kavanagh; Caoimhe Sawyer; Sophie Browne; Amy Carroll; Eva Coughlan (0-1); Sinead Feeley; Mollie Turner (0-8); Siobhan Roche (0-3); Emma Diamond (0-3); Eimear Stynes (1-0); Eva Mulholland; Alana Prior (0-2). Subs: Ciara Moynihan; Caoimhe Harrington (0-1); Niamh Maher; Maya Golden – Poppy Conroy; Amy Flanagan; Roisin Murphy; Katie Prunty.

Manager: Philip Bourke.
Report: Kevin Mallon