Liatroim 1-12  Ballycran 1-06

Liatroim Fontenoys are still the Kings (or is it Queens) of Down Camogie. The Liatroim girls collected their fifteenth successive title when seeing off the challenge of Ballycran at St Malachys Park Kilclief on Sunday. Played in front of a big crowd in ideal conditions this game produced some excellent Camogie from both sides but the defending champions who only beat the ‘cran by a point in last years final were the masters in a powerful second half display which earned them their title.

Inspired by an outstanding half back line of Karen McMullan Lisa McCrickard and Claire McGovern and the brilliance of All Star Mairin McAleenan who was magnificent despite playing with her knee heavily strapped the Liatroim girls scored seven unanswered points in the final quarter retain the title.

The young and enthusiastic Ards girls took the game to the champions in the first half and with county players Jenny Braniff and Catherine McGourty to the fore they led 0-04 to 0-02. Midfielder McGourty stretched the lad with an early second half point. They might have scored a goal at that stage but Mairin McAleenan back in her own defence cleared off the line to start a Liatroim attack which ended with Kelly O’Higgins scoring the Liatroim goal at the other end and the sides were level within five minutes of the restart. Liatroim appeared to be taking control when they went in front for the first time with points from Caitriona McCrickard and McAleenan. But the Ards girls were back in front when Laura Smyth found the net and with a point from Amanda Coulter the Ards girls went two points ahead. It was then that the champions called upon al their reserves of courage and skill. They scored seven unanswered points in a blistering final quarter, five of them coming from Mairin McAleenan.

 Liatroim scorers; Mairin McAleenan 0-07, Kelly O’Higgins 1-01, Caitriona McCrickard 0-2, Sinead OPrey, Lisa Quinn 0-1 each.

Ballycran; Laura Smyth 1-00, Amana Coulter 0-02, Catherine McGourty 0-02, Jennie Braniff Michelle Dorrian 0-01 each.

Teams; Liatroim, Nuala Magee, Ann Morgan Donna Mullen Elaine McCrickard, Karen McMullen Lisa McCrickard Clare McGovern, Ciara McGovern and Rosaleen McCann, Caitriona McCrickard Majella OReilly Niamh O’Higgins, Sinead Brackenbury  Kelly O’Higgins Mairin McAleenan, subs used Lisa Quinn for Niamh O’Higgins, Denise OPrey for Elaine McCrickard.

Ballycran; Ciara McCarthy Emma Keith Nuala Mallon Geraldine OPrey, Fionuala Torney Geraldine Fitzsimons Denise Caldwell, Jennifer Braniff and Catherine McGourty, Nicola Braniff Amelda Gilmore Naomi Morgan, Michelle Dorrian Amanda Coulter Laura Smyth, subs used Deirdre Savage for Geraldine OPrey.

Division 4 Final

Ballela 5-04

Longstone 0-00

A young enthusiastic and well coached Ballela side swept aside the Longstone challenge in the Division 4 final. Longstone had outstanding performers in Aiobhain Rodgers, Eimar Rodgers and Lisa Ireland but they lacked the strength in depth of the Ballela girls, particularly keeper Aileen Pyers. Defender Helen Doyle along with Caroline and Ciara McCusker and Alana Magee up front.

Ballela scorers; Ciara Magee 2-00, Ciara McCusker 1-01, Sinead McAvoy 1-00, Caroline Pyers 1-00. Alana Magee 0-3.

Ballela team; Aileen Pyers, Mary McClorey Helen Doyle Roisin McCusker, Aisling Pyers Alana Magee Caroline McCusker, Caroline Pyers Sinead McEvoy Jane Doran Ciara McCusker Ciara Magee. Sub used Roisin McPolin for Jan Doran.

Longstone; Sara Anne Smith, Aiobhain Rodgers Claire Rooney Caitriona Rodgers Kerry Ann Poland, Eimar Rodgers Noreen Rodgers Lisa Ireland, Bernadette Fitzpatrick Pauline Trainor Laura Joyce Catherine Haughian. Subs used Roisin Rodgers for Catherine Haughian, colleen Haughian for Laura Joyce, Tara O’Hare for Lisa Ireland.

 By Jerry Quinn