U16C Cup Final

Whitegate 3-12 Cratloe 5-4

This was an exciting encounter played on a beautiful Autumn day, with both teams enjoying periods ahead, before Whitegate launched a final attack to emerge the winners with a two point margin.

Whitegate got the better of Cratloe in the early exchanges, still Megan O’Connor from Cratloe got the first score from the placed ball in front of the Whitegate goals. Alannah Hayes from Whitegate evened the score quickly with a free. Whitegate found the net twice in quick succession, with a possible third being disallowed for a square ball. Cratloe responded with their first goal. Sooner after, Eimear Flannagan’s work rate, which saw her trying her football skills when no hurley available, sent a lovely ball down to Abbey Mason, who caught it, turned and found the net for Cratloe. For the last third of the first half, it was all about Whitegate, who added four points in quick succession to bring the half time score to Cratloe 2.1, Whitegate 2.7.

Cratloe came out on the attack in after the break, and smooth passing from Cliona Murphy to Andrea Murphy Wright, ended in a point after a lengthy solo run from Murphy Wright.

Cratloe’s defence were alert and a good clearance by full back Fiona Cummins was picked up by Sadhbh Foley. Cliona Murphy was awarded a free, and dropped the ball in low so the Cratloe forwards where able

to find the net for Cratloe. The score now was 3.2 to 2.7. Whitegate got their first score of the second half with a placed ball. Cratloe responded with a low flying free from Megan O’Connor which resulted in a goal to level the score at 4.2 Cratloe, 2.8 Whitegate.

Determination from Cratloe forwards to get on top resulted in Abbey Mason getting possession and scoring her second goal of the game to bring the score to 5.3 to 2.9 with ten minutes to go. A penalty was awarded to Cratloe but this was fruitless. Chloe Ryan pointed from play to score what would be Cratloe’s last score of the day. Whitegate became dominant for the final closing minutes, and their first touch and accuracy led to a goal and two points being scored. The final score was 5.4 Cratloe to Whitegate 3.12. Aideen Hickey was excellent for Whitegate throughout and was instrumental in their win.

Orla Considine of Clare Camogie awarded the cup to the joint captains Amber Nolan and Nicola Bugler of Whitegate, and congratulated both teams on a very high standard of play for an Under 16C final.

Whitegate: Alison Hynes; Nicola Bugler (JC), Emma Hynes; Leana Spazzi, Caitriona Apsel, Danielle Flannery; Amber Nolan (JC) (1-2, 2f) , Ciara Dooley; Abigail Starr, Aideen Hickey (1-5, 3f), Corinna Hynes; Sarah Dooley, Áine McDermott (1-5). Subs: Alannah Hayes, Mia McMahon, Eadaoin O'Grady.

Cratloe: Maria Healy, Fiona Cummins, Orla Gallagher, Sadbh Foley, Kate O’Donoghue, Roisin McGonagle, Ava Gardner, Lucy Earls, Eimear Flanagan, Cliona Murphy, Andrea Murphy Wright, Megan O’Connor, Caoimhe Healy, Chloe Reidy, Abbey Mason Sarah Brennan, Kayla McMahon, Fionnuala Costello, Chloe Ryan,