John Keane Memorial 7 a side
tournament
@ Craughwell Camogie Club
March 9th 2013
 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Back row l to r : Sally Wall,Orla McMahon, Claire McMahon, Aoife O'Neill,Rae Wall, Shaunagh O'Brien, Brendan Lynch Front row left to right : Katie Malone, Orla Devitt , Sinead Darcy |
Éire
Óg Camogie club travelled to Craughwell in south Galway on
Saturday morning to take part in the John Keane Memorial 7 a side tournament. This
tournament is held to honour the memory of John Keane, who was hugely
instrumental in the re-formation of Craughwell Camogie Club in the late 1980s.
Thirteen
teams took part, with Éire Óg being the only team from outside Galway to
participate. The Ennis girls were initially somewhat apprehensive on hearing
the rules of this ground hurling tournament, with no handling of the ball or
lift and strike allowed at all. Éire Óg took on Oranmore-Maree in their opening
match. Scores were hard to come by, but an Orla Devitt goal ensured that her
side took the points. Next up was Killimordaly, who took an early lead when
their free was chipped over the crossbar earning them two points. Buoyed by
this lead, Killimordaly threw all they had at their opposition but the Clare
side defended well and eventually emerged on top as Devitt once again goaled
for her side to give them a second victory.
A Devitt hat trick along with a
goal from Claire McMahon saw off the challenge of Kiltormer on a score line of
4 goals to 2. By the time that Éire Óg faced Kilconerian in their final group
match, they were fully into their stride and had well mastered the challenges
of the ground hurling rules. Goals from Aoife O’Neill, Orla McMahon and a brace
from Orla Devitt , along with some outstanding defending gave Éire Óg a 4 goals
to no score victory sending them into a semi final spot against senior side, St.
Thomas’
.
Thomas’
had a great start, chipping over three unbelievable points from play in the
first half and tacking on a goal to give them a 1-03 to no score lead at the
break. Éire Óg upped the ante in the second half and two Orla Devitt goals
matched the two goals scored by Thomas’. Time was the enemy, however, and it
was the Galway side that advanced to the final, where they claimed the cup with
victory over Athenry.
Éire Óg team
:
Katie Malone, Sinead Darcy, Rae Wall, Orla McMahon, Aoife O’Neill, Claire
McMahon, Shaunagh O’Brien, Orla Devitt, Sally Wall.
