Troy drives Gaels on to first Senior B title

Kieran Devaney and Orla Brady

Kristina Troy turned in a tour de force performance as Blackhall Gaels claimed their first ever Senior B camogie title when they defeated neighbours Drumree 2-11 to 1-6 in the final on Saturday.

At the well-appointed Rathmolyon, Blackhall were the better team throughout but were pushed all the way by last years Intermediate Champions whose rise through the ranks of Meath Camogie is impressive and to contest a Senior B Final in their first year is even more impressive.

In front of a large crowd Blackhall, who haven’t won a Senior title since 2008, made a better start with Sarah King converting a 45. King nearly had a goal moments later but Lisa Donnelly in the Drumree goal was equal to it and pulled off a fine save. King converted a second 45 on the ten-minute mark before Player of the Match, Troy, linked up with King for a fine score from play.

Drumree finally settled into the game with a brace of frees from Louise Griffin and the game was tied at 0-3 0-3 after 20 minutes when again Griffin converted a placed ball. The game was played in great spirit, but no quarters were given in the exchanges and after 21 minutes no less than 4 yellow cards had been brandished by the referee.

A Jane Dolan free on 22 minutes gave Blackhall the lead again before possibly the point of the day from Sinead O’Loughlin spurred Blackhall into another gear and they started to stretch the lead with Dolan and King both firing over points. Again, Donnelly came to the rescue for Drumree on the half hour mark when she brilliantly stopped a Jane Dolan strike. Sarah King converted the resulting 45, her third of the half to see the Gaels ahead 0-8 to 0-3 at the break.

On the resumption it was Drumree who struck first through the excellent free taking of Griffin. Blackhall continued to hunt down the goal and Donnelly pulled off two further saves before she was finally bet by Dolan who reacted well and rebounded her own shot to the net.

With 45 minutes on the clock Drumree came back at the Gaels and the game was turned on its head when Niamh O’Sullivan hit the back of the net for Drumree. Griffin followed up with another free and there was now only three points in it 1-8 to 1-5.

The youth and fitness of the Drumree team was starting to show but when Kristina Troy dropped back into a deeper position, she was instrumental stopping any further momentum. Dolan again steadied the ship for Blackhall with a free. Sinead O’Loughlin linked up well with substitute Olivia O’Mahony to score her second of the day.

Troy also got her second point when a well worked indirect free was played cross field from King and Troy converted. With the hour completed Troy was involved again when her long-range clearance fell to Aileen Coyle who got a flick on the ball and the ball was in the net for a second time. Substitute Rachel Duke finished out the scoring with a point, but it was Blackhall’s day as referee Ger Smyth called for the ball.

In what a cracking game of Camogie there was some stand out performances on both sides. Kristina Troy claimed player of the match but Lisa Donnelly in the Drumree goal was outstanding. The duel between Sonia Leonard and Sinead O’Loughlin was absorbing. While Niamh O’Sullivan caused problems for the Gaels, Blackhall Gaels full back Kate Murphy was excellent.

It was extra special for the Gaels as the prize on offer was the Kay Troy Cup which was presented in memory of the Blackhall and Meath Camogie Stalwart. Shane Troy presented the cup to Blackhall Gaels captain Claire Burke who had Kristina Troy by her side.

Blackhall Gaels – Emily Mangan, Orla Flynn, Kate Murphy, Claire Burke, Helen Murphy, Kristina Troy (0-2) Ann Murphy, Niamh Keane, Suzanne Kelly, Sarah King (0-4 three 45s) Jayne Mangan, Sinead O’Loughlin (0-2) Aileen Coyle (1-0) Jane Dolan (1-3 three frees) Niamh McDermott. Subs: Olivia O’Mahony for McDermott, Aisling Keane for Jayne Mangan.

Drumree – Lisa Donnelly, Muireann Ryan, Reina Byrne, Keva McTigh, Rachel Fraher, Caoimhe Rooney, Sonia Leonard, Juliette Wall, Aoife Bawle, Niamh Gallogly, Shona Lynch, Louise Griffin (0-5 frees) Chloe Mahon, Lara Reynolds, Niamh O’Sullivan (1-0) Subs - Rachel Duke (0-1) for Mahon