Unbelievable win for our Under 14’s tonight in the Mackey Cup Final in Ballingarry!

In what was an end to end game between Ahane/MB and Newcastle West from the beginning, with both sets of players not giving an inch. The first score of the game came for Ahane/MB when Niamh B slotted over a point from a free. Niamh put Ahane two up in the 6th minute with another point from a free. Éle got her first score of the game in the form of a point to put three points between the teams. Newcastle West never let the heads drop and from a free the ball sneaked in under the bar to put the teams level Ahane/MB 0-03 to NCW: 1-00 after 11 minutes. As was the theme of the game there was periods of play where neither team scored due to the sheer work rate, hassling, hooking, and blocking been done out the field. The next score didn’t come until the 18th minute with a point from Niamh putting Ahane/MB ahead by a point. Their lead was short lived however as Newcastle West scored a point from the puck out bringing it back level. In the closing minutes of the half Newcastle West got a free which was scored meaning at half time there was a point between the teams. Ahane/MB 0-4 NCW: 1-02.

The intensity and pace of the first half carried over into the second half, where both teams came out ready for a hard 25 minutes of Camogie. Ahane/MB were first to score with a point coming from Ella. Newcastle West scored their second goal in the 6th minute of the second half, but credit to their character Ahane/MB just came back stronger and fought harder, they were not going down without a fight! Niamh B scored a wonderful goal from a free putting the score at Ahane/MB 1-05 to NCW 2-02 meaning they were level again for the fourth time in the game. NCW put one between the teams in the 16th minute. 21 minutes into the second half and Niamh popped up again with a point bringing the teams level for an incredible 5th time! But the moment of magic came in the 24th minute of the half when Éle scored an absolute beauty of a goal that put Ahane/MB three points up.

The next 3 minutes felt like a life time for the Ahane/MB crowd in Ballingarry but the elation when the final whistle blew was the exact same as when Limerick won the All Ireland!

The crowd were treated to a game of high quality, intense, and skillful camogie that would rival any senior game, it was well worth the fare in!

And finally a huge congratulations to the girls themselves, they have done themselves, their families, coaches, and the club proud 💚💛

On behalf of Ahane Camogie we would like to thank their coaches; Anne Madigan, Eugene Ryan, Kevin Donnellan, and Denis Murrihy, for the huge amount of work, time, and dedication they have given the girls over the last number of years! We would also like to thank the team sponsor, Tony McDermott’s Butchers Castleconnell.

The squad: S.Quaid, A. Corrigan, R. Donnellan, A. Murrihy, L. Magill, A. Whelan, M. Hussey, É. Madigan, E. Ryan, N. Brennan, C. Oliver, S.J. Flynn, S. Hogan, C. Keaveney, A. Conway, C. Wright, A. O’Hanlon, L. Cusack, H. Coulter, R. Flaherty, T. Madigan, L. Donnellan.