Barryroe GAA

Ballinascarthy, 17:00PM

Barryroe 4-04 Enniskeane 2-06

On a beautiful bright evening, Barryroe travelled to Ballinscarthy to take on Enniskeane in the U14B West Cork Final. It promised to be an exciting game and it lived up to all its expectations.

Barryroe were off to a flying start with a point from Ellen O’Riordan, the first of a few scores from Ellen. Whilst we had a lot of possession in the first quarter, Enniskeane’s defence line were making it difficult for us to convert our scores. Another point for Enniskeane nudged them ahead. Some great play around midfield from Aishling McKeogh and Holly Collins, with a few touches along the way from Esther Scallan Dowd and Cliona O’Brien helped Ellen to score a great goal. Enniskeane scored 2 points before it was Esther’s turn to find the back of the net. Another point for Enniskeane before the half time whistle, made it all to play for in the second half. Half time score Barryroe 2-01 Enniskeane 0-04.

After some strong words of encouragement from the managers Norman Fleming and Thomas Dullea, the girls started the second half with gritty determination to see off the opposition. It was Tara Fleming’s turn to score a goal from a great free, which landed nicely into the top corner of the goal. This set the girls up and they upped the ante from here on. Strong performances were put in by Sinead Walsh, Shauna Casey and Cliona O’Brien in the forwards who were unlucky not to score again. But Enniskeane scored a goal from a free which still kept them in the game. Our defence were called upon on more than one occasion and with great clearing from Claire Dullea, Nicole Sweetnam, Lucy O’Flynn, Mia O’Driscoll and Alison McCarthy. Some super saves were made by our goalie Emma Collins, which helped Barryroe keep a small gap between the two teams. Tara went onto score another goal from a free before Enniskeane came back with a point also from a free. With some nice passing from Claire Tobin into Ellen O’Riordan she converted another point. There was an exchange of points between the teams with Tara Fleming getting two points from play. Then Enniskeane found the net again to bring it back to just a 4 point gap again. This game was going to the wire and both teams were calling on all their reserves to try and get the win. It was time for fresh legs when Alannah Sexton and Ellen O’Donovan both came on to help keep Barryroe in front. As both teams were cheered on by their supporters, it really was a gripping finish when Enniskeane were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the game.  A hush came over the pitch and side line while everyone held their breaths. A strong shot from Enniskeane but a mighty save by Claire Dullea and a quick clearance out the wing, helped Barryroe hold out for the final whistle. A sigh of relief from all the Barryroe supporters for sure. Final score Barryroe 4-04 Enniskeane 2-06.

Games like today, make the training sessions all year worthwhile and it showed today as this bunch of girls played some fantastic camogie and have gone from strength to strength.

Team: Emma Collins, Lucy O’Flynn, Claire Dullea, Mia O’Driscoll, Nicole Sweetnam, Alison McCarthy, Holly Collins, Tara Fleming, Aishling McKeogh, Sinead Walsh, Claire Tobin, Ellen O’Riordan, Cliona O’Brien, Esther Scallan Dowd, Shauna Casey. Subs:  Ellen O’Donovan, Alannah Sexton, Ciardha McCarthy & Aoibhinn McKeogh.