Midleton 1-15 Castlelyons 2-14.

Castlelyons camogie team now playing in the premier junior championship travelled to Clonmult Memorial Park, Midleton to play the locals before with a strong Castlelyons following.  There was a late start due to a misunderstanding in the notification of the referee Cathal McAllister.  The game itself was hard and competitive all through with some great spells of camogie.  In a swelter of excitement and semi darkness as we struggled to read the jersey numbers Midleton managed to come home by two points.

We started very well as Sarah Morrison and Avril Byrne has two good points from play and Avril assisted Aisling Rosner who sent over a beauty from the wing. But all the time Midleton were holding level with us as they ran at us a bit.  They had a shot on goal and Ellie O’Brian made a great save and came out again to clear her lines.  All our backs and two Hallihan sisters at midfield, Leah and Emer were really hurling as we traded points. Niamh Barry at corner forward had two assists one which Avril Byrne pointed from play and another Eavan Cotter won a free and scored.  Then the Midleton centre forward broke loose and shot which Ellie saved but they were on to the rebound.  Castlelyons stayed in the game with Eavan Cotter was unerring from frees and Aisling Rosner won possession well and parted to Ciara Morrison who scored from play to put us right back in the game.  Suddenly Midleton broke up field for a second goal.  The score was now 2-7 to 0-8 for Midleton but Castlelyons were unflinching and got on top again for the last five minutes of the first half and with a high ball coming into the Midleton goal Niamh Bary was on hand to finish to the net to make it a two-point game again.  Again, Ellie O’Brien made a great save for us, and Emma Darragh was fouled clearing her lines leaving us down just two points at half time on a score 2-7 to 1-8.

Castlelyons were well up for the game in the second half and more than held their own with this strong Midleton outfit.  We had a wave of attacks and with Eavan Cotter unerring on frees we drew level.  Then a great catch and score from play by Leah Hallihan put us ahead with seventeen minutes to go.  Ellie O’Brien who was mighty in goals all evening made two great saves and our backs cleared.  Castlelyons supporters roared on their team as Midleton had gone ahead and the girls responded brightly in the dusk again as Emma Cotter scored from play to put us level.  Midleton did get on top for the last few minutes were winners 2-14 to 1-15.  We may have lost the game but no doubt about it Castlelyons showed great resilience against the might of Midleton and learned valuable lessons.  Well done to all the girls including the subs in this gutsy team display and good preparation by the management. The next game is at home to Carrigaline on next Wednesday 27.8.25 at 7.30pm and it is important to keep up the good work. Castlelyons Abú.

Team: Ellie O’Brien; Olivia Sheehan, Isabel Fenton, Emma Darragh; Michelle Hartnett, Rachel Murphy, Malissa O’Sullivan, Leah Hallihan, Emer Hallihan, Eavan Cotter, Avril Byrne, Aisling Rosner, Niamh Barry, Sarah Morrison, Ciara Morrison:  Subs:  Sharon Byrne, Siobhán Crowley, Sive Hallihan, Robyn Hickey, Saoirse McAuliffe, Olivia Nonan, Katie O’Riordan, Cara Hickey, Niamh Coleman, Ella Quirke, Sarah Kate Reals, Michaela Griffin, Phoebe Hallihan Olivia Beausang. Injured: Ava Hallihan and Gráinne McCarthy.