U14 Camogie County League, semi final V. Ballinhassig
Our U14 camogie squad travelled to Ballinhassig last Thursday evening for what proved to be a tense and hard‑fought County League Semi-Final. With Ballinhassig enjoying home advantage, we knew from the outset that this would be one of the toughest fixtures of the season.
In the lead‑up to the game there were injury concerns for Ciara Mullins, Danielle Quaine, Emma Duggan and Chloe Clifford. Thankfully, all four came through the warm‑up and were able to line out. Aoibhinn O’Leary captained the team on the night, and Erins Own opted to play into a very strong wind in the first half, backing the girls’ ability to limit Ballinhassig’s scoring opportunities. They did exactly that, working tirelessly from the throw‑in and defending superbly. At half-time, Ballinhassig led 3–0 to 1–0.
After the break, Erins Own burst into life, quickly pulling the game level at three goals apiece. Ballinhassig added a single point in the second half, but our girls showed tremendous grit and determination, striking for two more goals before the final whistle. It may not have been the squad’s most polished technical performance of the season, but their heart, work rate and refusal to give up made all the difference. The belief within this group is remarkable, every player put their body on the line, and their togetherness shone through when it mattered most.
With such depth in the squad, selecting a starting team was no easy task for the management, but the strength of this group meant we had both starters and finishers who could influence the game, and every girl played her part in securing the win. The scorers on the night were Caoilainn Hegarty (2 goals), Aoibhinn O’Leary (1 goal), Orlaith Ní Shúilleabháin (1 goal) & Éireann Finn (1 goal).
A fantastic result and a testament to the strength & depth of this squad’s including their spirit and determination as they continue their push for County glory.
