2004 – Juvenile Camogie at St John’s

Under-14

St John’s v Portaferry

Although Portaferry won this match it was the best display of camogie from this particular set of girls. Their tackling and blocking was excellent. Laura McGeown played with maturity at centre half-back, Shileen ran herself into the ground, Aislinn McMullan tackled and blocked, Sinead McMullan is starting to be first to the ball, Nicola had powerful hit outs, Martina tried hard (even though she had already played a match that morning). Keep up the good works girls!

St John’s v Dromara

St John’s were easy winners of this match. Everybody played well. Their game is coming together and Martina took some lovely scores with both right and left sides. Others to catch the eye were Nicola Walsh, Julie Brown and Sinead McMullan who scored a tremendous goal. The match was won from the domination of midfield. Well done girls.

5th May 2004
Ben Dearg 4-00 v 2-03 St John’s

This was a well contested game between two evenly matched teams. Ben Dearg won because their scores went in under the bar; ours were two under and three over.

The long grass at Kilclief hampered the skills in this match but everyone gave of their best.

Nicola McMullan scored a lovely point with a solo run and drop kick over the bar. Martina also soloed with the ball and scored a beautiful point. Aislinn McMullan took her goal with authority and played a great game of harassing and blocking.

11th May 2004
St John’s v Ballycran

The learning curve continues for these U-14 girls, most of whom are in their last year of U-14 camogie. This game was lost from midfield as we lost all shape which meant the backs were under continuous pressure.

There was a good showing from Siobhan Walsh in goals and Aislinn McMullan when she came back to full back. Stella Smyth continues to make good progress in her first year playing camogie as does Chloe Matthews.

St John’s 3-00 v 0-02 Drumaness

The girls bounced back from their defeat to Ballycran and won this match over a Drumaness side managed by Jimmy O’Reilly, the former Down Senior Hurling manager. This match was won because the girls dominated the midfield especially Shileen McDonald who covered every blade of grass on the pitch. Julie Brown proved a revelation in her first match at full back. Goalscorers were Laura Gribben (1-00) and Sinead McMullan (2-00). Jimmy O’Reilly came onto the team busand complimented the girls on the fair match and their skills on the ball.

St John’s 2-02 v 3-00 Kilcoo

The end of the season came too early for this set of girls. They were starting to play their best camogie and were very unfortunate to lose this match by a single point.

The workrate of everyone overwhelmed a very mobile Kilcoo team who eventually got more scores under the bar than us. It would be unfair to pick out any players but the management would like to acknowledge the effort put in by all who attended coaching on Monday nights right up until the end of September. Scorers: Sinead McMullan 1-01, Martina Cunningham 0-02.

Under-12

St John’s v Portaferry

This young St John’s team were overwhelmed by a much older, bigger and skilful Portaferry side. If there is anything to learn from matches like these perhaps it lets us know how much work needs to be done on the skills. Shileen McDonald ploughed a lone furrow at midfield and Catherine Walsh found her each time with her puck outs. Laura Gribben marked the most successful girl on the Portaferry team and well done. Cara Murphy and Nicole Walsh took turns in goals and stopped quite a few shots.

St John’s v Ballygalget

St John’s were easy winners in this one sided match. There were some promising performances from Ciara O’Neill, Cara Flynn, Shona Walsh, and Aoife McClean in defence. Shileen McDonald, Catherine Walsh and Siobhan McCann held control in midfield. Catherine Keenan, Derbhla Arkins and Kathleen Milligan foraged well in the forwards. Siobhan McCann scored a lovely goal with a good lift and strike.

22nd May 2004
St John’s 1-00 v 0-00 Liatroim

This was an excellent win for the U-12 girls against big-name opposition. This game was won from the half-backs where Catherine Walsh, Aoife McClean and Shona Walsh supporting the midfield and covering back rapidly to stop the Liatroim attacks.

Once again Shileen McDonald covered every blade of grass on the Liatroim pitch and also soloed the length of the field to score the winning goal. She was ably supported by Michelle Morgan and Laura Gribbin. Amy Doyle made a brilliant save to keep St Jon’s in the lead.

Siobhan McCann, Dearbhla Arkins and Roisin McMullan kept the Liatroim backs under pressure and didn’t allow them to clear the ball cleanly.

6th June 2004
Ben Dearg v St John’s

St John’s were well beaten in this match but we had some good shows from our newer players particularly Shona Walsh, who got in some good blocks. Lauren O’Neill displayed good positional play while Kathleen Milligan is starting to show well for the ball and is getting quicker.

Needless to say Shileen McDonald scored another super goal with a solo run the length of the field.

St John’s: Cara Murphy, Catherine Keenan, Lauren O’Neill, Aoife McClean, Catherine Walsh, Shileen McDonald, Laura Gribbin, Shona Walsh, Michaela Walsh, Kate McMullan, Amy Dowly, Kathleen Milligan. Subs. Roisin McMullan, Nicole Walsh.

Camogie – end of term report - 2004

St John’s fielded camogie teams at under-12 and under-14 level and both teams have made good progress during the year. Both claimed some notable successes on the field and managed to rack up impressive scorelines. However, the opposition sometimes came out on top in spite of scoring less frequently – it was just that several of their efforts crept under the bar – the curse of underage gaelic sport.

As you can read in the match report the end of the season came too early for the team as they were starting to play their best camogie as the work done on the training field on Monday evening was beginning to pay dividends.

Juvenile awards night – 15th October 2004

U-12
Sportsperson of the Year … Michelle Morgan
Club person of the Year … Derbhla Arkins
Most Improved Player … Siobhan McCann

U-14
Sportsperson of the Year … Laura McGeown
Club person of the Year … Siobhan Walsh
Most Improved Player … Stella Smith

Leitrim – all Ireland champions

Warmest congratulations to our neighbours, Liatroim Fontenoys, on their outstanding successes. First off they won the County Down title and followed that with the Ulster crown. Well done, but that wasn’t enough for them – they beat the Clare & Munster champions in the semi-final before beating the Roscommon & Connaught champions, Four Roads, by 4-13 v 0-08 to bring home the ALL-IRELAND title. Very well done ladies!!!