Junior Champioship V Brothers Pearse

Saturday 2^nd April, Poulter Park, Mitcham

Croydon 3-9 V Michael Cusacks 2-4

Michael Cusacks and Croydon camogie teams contested the junior championship at Mitcham on Saturday 11^th of June. Croydon came out eventual winners in a well contested game. Michael Cusacks are a new team on the London camogie scene. Their team is predominately made up of those in their first competitive camogie season. However, this was not evident on Saturday and although they are a new club they are a force to be reckoned with in future games.

Both teams started the game well and were 1-1 a piece ten minutes into the game. Croydon then began to pull away with a Bridget Hehir goal and a well taken Rita O’ Mahoney point. Michael Cusacks then started on the offence. Nikki Mulhall contributed with her first of many goals and put in a versatile performance by starting in attack and finishing the game in defence. This was followed by a Carrie Flood point. Carrie led a stream of attack on Croydon throughout the game and made a notable contribution to the final scoreline. Jenni Mc Givney made some great runs from the Croydon full back line and ensured her line was clear throughout the game. Sinead Allis also had a strong game in the Croydon back line with her tight man marking and tactical clearances. Croydon took a slight lead at half time with points from Claire Lenihan and Bridget Hehir.

Michael Cusacks opened the second half strongly and with two points from Carrie Flood in the opening minutes they looked to be taking the lead from the Croydon girls. Croydon lifted their heads and began to come back into the game with three points from Bridget Hehir. Another Jenni Mc Givney run culminated in a goal from Bridget to give Croydon a more comfortable lead. Croydon were unlucky not to be further ahead. However, with Jacqueline Thornton fiercely guarding the Michael Cusack goal no score was easily taken. Jacqueline ensured her team stayed in contention throughout the game. She was ably assisted by a strong back line of Louise Clarke, Lorraine Kelly and Orlaith Deveraux. Both teams were led from mid field on the day – with both captains (Claire Lenihan – Croydon and Cat Dwyer – Michael Cusacks) putting in sterling performances. Croydon ran out eventual winners on a scoreline of 3-9 to 2-4. Both teams put in strong performances and proved the quality of competition that has been seen of late in this junior grade.

Teams:

Croydon – Louise Molyneaux, Aodhnait Connors, Michelle Barry, Jenni Mc Giveny, Sinead Allis, Celine O’ Connor, Claire Lenihan, Rita O’ Mahoney, Bridget Hehir, Eva Cullen, Sarah Gaughan, Sarah Butler.

Michael Cusacks - Jacqueline Thornton,  Louise Clarke, Lorraine Kelly, Orlaith Devereaux, Denise Foy, Mary Sweeney, Cat Dwyer, Helen Keane, Carrie Flood, Catherine Ward, Aoife Coyle, Nikki Mulhall, Claire McGuirk.