Omagh v Na Laochra
St Patrick’s Park Omagh.
Omagh St Enda’s welcomed Na Laochra to St Patrick’s Park for the first round of the Tyrone U16 league. Conditions were ideal for camogie and an enthralling encounter ensued between two teams who gave their all in a robust and exciting encounter.
The first half commenced with the St Endas girls creating a few early chances but unfortunately for them, they couldn’t convert their possession into scores.
After repelling the early St Endas attacks thanks to some magnificent defending from Bláthnaid Kerr, Rachel Devine and Cait Clarke it was the girls from Na Laochra who raced into an early lead courtesy of points from Aoibheann Daly and Leah Mc Guigan. However, Omagh soon regained a bit of momentum through some great defending from Sinead Barrett and Emma Cait Gallagher. With minutes left in the first half, Na Laochra rattled the Omagh net to go in leading by six at half time.
The second half resumed in a similar fashion to the first with no quarter being given or asked. Na Laochra tagged on a few points from midfielder Aoibheann Daly and it was only for the heroics of Aine Mc Rory in the St Endas goals that kept the contest alive.
The introduction of dual star Shauna Mc Crory really turned the game on its head. With seven points separating the sides, Shauna bagged two quick goals and cut the deficit to one point. Despite this scare, the girls from na laochra played some composed camogie and managed to engineer a few late points to run out winners on a scoreline of 2-7 to 2-1. The Omagh point coming from a late Shauna Keyes free.
Although Na Laochra will be the happier of the two teams as they return home with 2 league points, the St Endas girls will have taken a lot from what was the clubs first u16 game in many years.
Na Laochra: Rachel Devine, Shona Mc Kenna, Cayla Donnelly, Leah Mc Guigan, Sinead Mc Elhome, Cait Clarke, Shauna McGurk, Niamh Tracey, Chloe Mc Gurk, Maeve Mc Crystal, Aoibhin Daly, Blathnaid Kerr, Roise Kerr, Niamh Donnelly, Ciara Small, Sian Tracey, Aimmie Gumley, Aoibhinn Coyle, Rosie Lesson, Orla Morris and Kate Hughes
Omagh St Endas: Ailis Keyes, Dearbhla Quinn, Sinead Barrett, Grainne Cassidy, Emer Cunningham, Aoibhinn Gallagher, Emma Cait Gallagher, Fionnuala Kelly, Cara Leonard, Ellie Leonard, Aine Mc Rory, Shauna Mc Crory, Maria Mc Donnell. Leah McDermott, Beibhinn Moloney, Eva ni dhoibhilin, Clare O Brien, Mollie O Hanlon, Ella May O Neill, Isobel Sharkey, Alice Symington and Shauna Keyes