Nenagh Éire Óg Junior a Camógie Palyers Make History with Their First Ever County League Victory Sunday May 17Th
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Vol. 3 Issue 4 May 2015 NENAGH ÉIRE ÓG JUNIOR A CAMÓGIE PALYERS MAKE HISTORY WITH THEIR FIRST EVER COUNTY LEAGUE VICTORY SUNDAY MAY 17TH WELL DONE TO OUR HEROIC CAMOGIE PLAYERS WHO CAPTURED THE CLUB’S VERY FIRST LEAGUE TITLE AT THE JUNIOR A GRADE ON SUNDAY MAY17TH IN THE CAMOGIE GROUNDS AFTER A SPECTACULAR GAME AGAINST A VERY DETERMINED AND SKILFUL THURLES SARSFIELDS SIDE. CONGRATULATIONS TO COACHES KIERAN O’BRIEN AND NOEL COFFEY, CAPTAIN CIARA MCGRATH AND TO ALL INVOLVED IN THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT FOR THE CLUB! Vol. 3 Issue 4 May 2015 NENAGH ÉIRE ÓG – COUNTY JUNIOR A CAMÓGIE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS! COUNTY JUNIOR A CAMOGIE LEAGUE FINAL NENAGH ÉIRE ÓG 2-18 THURLES SARSFIELDS 1-17 It was a game that had everything that was great about the ancient craft, two committed teams playing a hard but sporting match in blustery conditions. The large crowd who turned up was treated to an extraordinary game that took two further periods of extra time to separate these two fantastic sides. Thurles started the brighter and within ten minutes had four points drove forward and on the board compared to just one found Alicia Hallinan for Nenagh, a Grace O’Brien free forty yards from after she was fouled. At this stage it goal. Hallinan put looked as if it might be a long the head down and afternoon for the Blues, but to their soloed through the credit they rallied and scored 1-1 to heart of the give them a slender advantage. Sarsfield’s defence Firstly Rachel Spillane pointed before unleashing an following a great delivery from the unstoppable drive to tireless Michelle Collins and then the roof of the net. Alicia Hallinan spotted Aislinn With their tails up O’Brien alone in the box. O’Brien Nenagh continued was quickly closed down, but their scoring spree penalty of the game. This time following a chop referee John Lillis and after great work from Holly Grace opted to point. held his arms wide to award Nenagh O’Brien the hard-working Rachel a penalty. Up stepped Grace O’Brien Spillane scored a beautiful point to Sarsfields again upped their game to blast the shot to the goalkeeper’s leave the half-time score Nenagh 2- and rattled off three unanswered right and give the three Thurles girls 6 Thurles 0-5. points. The crowd sensed that we on the line no chance. were in for a spectacular second half The Thurles girls come a town and the players did not disappoint. It was a lifeline Nenagh badly steeped in hurling history and were needed and despite a quick Thurles not about to lie down. They began Aileen Duggan found Alicia Hallinan point Éire Óg went on to score three the second half in determined in space and from an acute angle more to increase the lead to 1-5 to fashion with two quick points before she popped over to stem the 0-5. Firstly Grace O’Brien latched Alanna Morris, who had a fine Thurles tide. Shortly after Rachel onto a breaking ball from Louise afternoon, collected the ball fifty Spillane found Grace O’Brien who Hickey to point and this was yards out and split the posts from duly pointed to leave proceedings at followed up with two more from out on the sideline. 2-10 to 0-10. placed balls by the same player. Thurles responded in kind before Grace O’Brien traded points with In the 27th minute the excellent Louise Hickey was fouled and Thurles following a foul on Louise Aileen Duggan, playing wing-back, Nenagh were awarded their second Hickey before Sarsfields scored Vol. 3 Issue 4 May 2015 Extra-time continued From here on in they worked like in the same frantic and beavers to ensure the title would be spectacular vein. Early going to the Upper Ormond for the on Maeve Coffey was first time. fouled and Grace Maeve Coffey added another point O’Brien duly converted and the forwards worked furiously the free before Thurles to prevent any Thurles excursions took the lead with two into the Nenagh half. points of their own. One of these Rachel Spillane played a lovely ball Sarsfield’s scores was to Michelle Collins who in turn found the result of a fine Grace O’Brien who opened the lead save from Sarah Quigley who another unanswered hat-trick of deflected the shot over the bar. points. O’Brien scored another free to After a high ball broke in the level the sides and then Éire Óg penalty area Thurles pounced for took a lead they would not the equalising goal in the 55th relent through the impact sub minute. Moments later Maeve Maeve Coffey. Coffey thought she had scored a three pointer of her own with a Thurles’ exertions in getting hand-passed effort which was back into the match in normal spectacularly saved by the Thurles time was beginning to catch up netminder. The rebound broke to with them and the fitness levels Grace O’Brien who pointed to give of the Nenagh ladies was a Éire Óg a slender advantage testament to the diligent hard heading into injury time. However work of coaches Kieran O’Brien to four points which resulted in the the mid girls were not finished yet and Noel Coffey. loudest cheer of the day from the large Nenagh following which almost and managed to level before full- There was time for one more lifted the roof off the stand. time to level proceedings – 2-12 to spectacular save at the conclusion 1-15. of the first half The Blues sensed victory and were when the Thurles not about to relinquish their lead. goalkeeper dived Thurles poured forward and looked full length to as if they were about to goal until block a superb Sarah Quigley showed why she is Rachel Spillane one of the best up-and-coming pull and Alicia goalkeepers in the county and was Hallinan batted equal to the effort. Thurles were the rebound subsequently awarded a ’21 which, agonisingly wide. again, was brilliantly saved by Quigley. This wasn’t the only time Grace O’Brien she matched a serious challenge pointed another from the Thurles ladies. Late in the free at the second half of normal she produced beginning of the one of the greatest saves ever second half of witnessed in The Ragg when extra-time and it somehow she blocked from point was the boost blank range. Éire Óg needed. Vol. 3 Issue 4 May 2015 Éire Óg held on to claim a famous Both teams can now look four-point victory on a score line of forward to the championship 2-18 to 1-17. with a lot of confidence and Every single Nenagh player will go close to winning deserves tremendous praise for the championship honours. way they went about their business. Nenagh Éire Óg: Sarah When called upon Sarah Quigley Quigley, Kara Ryan-Mulqueen, produced the goods while the six Rachel Maher, Saoirse backs harried and harassed their Gleeson, Aileen Duggan, Hazel opponents all day. The midfield duo McAuliffe, Alanna Morris, Ciara of Michelle Collins and captain Ciara 2 McGrath (captain), Michelle McGrath ran themselves into the Collins, Alicia Hallinan, Aislinn ground while the forwards deserve a O’Brien, Rachel Spillane, Grace lot of credit for the way they O’Brien, Louise Hickey, Holly defended. The Thurles backs were O’Brien. Subs Maeve Coffey for under constant pressure and were Holly O’Brien, Ruth Hassett for not allowed any easy clearances. Louise Hickey, Leah Sheedy for Grace O’Brien was impeccable from Michelle Collins, Sarah the frees and if Lorrha-Dorrha have O’Connor for Aislinn O’Brien. Patrick ‘Bonnar’ Maher, Nenagh have Aislinn O’Brien who’s work rate Referee: John Lillis (Drom & was relentless and she selflessly Inch). spread the ball around for the other forwards. 3 There were numerous players from Click below for match YouTube both sides who made strong claims links for the player of the match https://youtu.be/jLmhLdrUHJA accolade, but one player who stood out was Rachel Spillane. She scored https://youtu.be/d0ec1Janbl8 two fine points, set up more opportunities for her team mates and was the hardest working player on display. Nenagh’s win was all the more impressive when you 4 take into account that Julie Moylan and Zoey Gratton were ruled out through injury. Added to that Sarah O’Connor, Hazel Coffey and Emer Ryan, who played significant roles in getting the team to the final, did not make the starting team. Youngsters Leah 1 5 Sheedy and Ruth Hassett also played their part 1. Joint manager Noel Coffey with daughter Maeve. 2. Sarah Quigley with her proud when introduced as family. 3. Captain, Ciara McGrath with proud parents and sister Beccy.4. Leaving Cert second half substitutes. students Sarah Quigley, Sarah O Connor, Zoey Gratton, Holly O Brien, Alanna Morris. 5. Rachel Maher, Michelle Collins, Aislinn O Brien, Grace O Brien and Rachel Spillane. Vol. 3 Issue 4 May 2015 SIX-POINT DEFEAT TO TEMPLEDERRY KNOCKS ÉIRE ÓG OUT OF THE NORTH CHAMPIONSHIP A superb performance from the Templederry Kenyons at Dolla brought the Blues’ reign as north Tipperary senior hurling champions to an end on Sunday evening May 31st. Hibernian Inn North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Nenagh Éire Óg 0-18 Templederry Kenyons 2-18 Éire Óg played into a strong wind in the opening half and took the lead Gearóid Ryan and Michael Heffernan Entering the final ten minutes in the second minute thanks to a then traded points from play before Templederry led by four and Michael Heffernan point.