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Superb Good Counsel Liffey Gaels hit the jackpot in cup final
Junior 2 camogie cup
Good Counsel team picture. Back (l-r); Niall Kennedy, Jen Eagers, Ciara Downey, Grainne Langan, Aedin McAdams, Shauna Boden, Shannon McDobnnell, Alika Delsart-Burke, Edel Reid, Aisling Kennedy, Barry M oore. Front (l-r); Emmett McLoughlin, Aine Farrell, Kirsten Farrell, Abbie Kennedy, Niamh Ryan Abby Coleman, Karen Blood, Ellen Rockett, Aoife Blafe. Picture; Gerry Mooney
FINGALLIANS: (back, l-r) Keelin McGrath, Niamh Gavin, Aoife Foley, Keelagh Gargan, Aoife Kenny, Eabha Barrett, Niamh Crowley, Emma Jones, Clodagh Carroll, Lauren McCormack, Ciara Foley, Siobhan Sheppard. Front (l-r); Claire Maxwell, Louise Courage, Lorna Murphy, Ellen Kirwan, Abigail McKeating, Anna Mullen, Hannah Griffith, Ciara O’Grady, Aoife Grimes.
Ellen Kirwan of Fingallians in action against Shauna Boden of Good Counsel Liffey Gaels. Photo: Gerry Mooney
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GOOD COUNSEL GAELS 5-5
FINGALLIANS 0-11
A RAINY night in Swords. A joyous night for Good Counsel Liffey Gaels.
A big title decider for the Go-Ahead Dublin Camogie Junior 2 Cup.
The Counsel Gaels battled through the evening traffic to produce the most assured of performances.
Good Counsel and Liffey Gaels merged in 2021. It’s a marriage that has been blessed by the Gods.
Two of the great clubs of Dublin coming together to cement a future that’s paved with promise.
It was easy to see what the success meant to the players as they celebrated on the pitch following the final whistle.
“It’s a great achievement for the players,” declared mentor Barry Moore as he was being congratulated by all.
He also paid tribute to his co-managers Niall Kennedy and Paddy Baker for all the dedication that went into making this triumph possible.
As the match went on, the Fingallians’ Drive-In Bingo was taking place. The announcements were coming loud and clear over the tannoy to the packed car park: “41, the bus to Swords.” “Number 10, Downing Street.” The Counsel Gaels had the one jackpot on their mind.
Helping them to it were some notable names that have been at the fabric of the proud Counsel club through the years – players that brought much experience to the campaign.
They included Kirsten Farrell, Karen Blood and Edel Reid. Reid played at full-forward and left the stage with three goals and two points.
The Fingallians pitch is one of the biggest in the county. And it has excellent drainage. The electronic scoreboard lit up the gloomy evening.
Yet, eventually, it brightened. And the hosts played their part.
“We are happy with the way camogie is progressing at the club. We are making good strides,” reflected Jean Kelly.
“This is a very young side. They performed very well. Against a very good Counsel team.”
The home centre half-back, Aoife Grimes, played splendidly. In the first seconds, she made a marvellous catch. And a little while later, she pounced on the sliotar, glued it to her stick and moved through the fair to make a telling clearance.
Aoife Kenny also delighted the Fins’ support with her excellent contribution. She showed pace and nimble skill.
She provided one of the highlights in the second half with a storming run from midfield deep into the heart of the visitors’ sitting-room. The ball perfectly balanced on the timber. She concluded the run with the sweetest of strikes.
Niamh Gavin excelled from the placed ball, while two of the finest points of the hour came from Keelagh Gargan and Niamh Crowley. Ciara O’Grady is also a refined finisher.
Counsel laid a solid foundation in the first half. They led at the interval, 3-3 to 0-5.
They got the perfect start, a Reid goal at the scoreboard end in the fourth minute.
On 25 minutes, they struck for their second goal. It came from Ciara Downey. And just on the blow of the break, Karen Blood’s dipping free found the basket.
The Counsel Gaels maintained their high work-rate. Fingallians were full of running.
The Counsel defence had to stay sharp. And they did. Doing the simple things well. Covering the spaces, and staying calm in possession.
Eight minutes into the second period, Reid scored her second goal. And in the 42nd minute, she completed her hat-trick.
It looked like Counsel were home. If not dry.
Colourful umbrellas decorated the banks of Lawless Memorial Park. But soon the Counsel Gaels were singing in the rain.
FINGALLIANS: (back, l-r) Keelin McGrath, Niamh Gavin, Aoife Foley, Keelagh Gargan, Aoife Kenny, Eabha Barrett, Niamh Crowley, Emma Jones, Clodagh Carroll, Lauren McCormack, Ciara Foley, Siobhan Sheppard. Front (l-r); Claire Maxwell, Louise Courage, Lorna Murphy, Ellen Kirwan, Abigail McKeating, Anna Mullen, Hannah Griffith, Ciara O’Grady, Aoife Grimes.
GOOD COUNSEL LIFFEY GAELS: (back, l-r) Niall Kennedy, Jen Eagers, Ciara Downey, Grainne Langan, Aedin McAdams, Shauna Boden, Shannon McDobnnell, Alika Delsart-Burke, Edel Reid, Aisling Kennedy, Barry Moore; (front, l-r) Emmett McLoughlin, Aine Farrell, Kirsten Farrell, Abbie Kennedy, Niamh Ryan, Abby Coleman, Karen Blood, Ellen Rockett, Aoife Blafe.
Match file
SCORERS – Good Counsel Liffey Gaels: E Reid 3-2; C Downey 1-2; K Blood 1-0; S Bowden (f) 0-1. Fingallians: N Gavin 0-4 (3f, 1 45); C O’Grady, K Gargan 0-2 each; A Kenny, A Foley, N Crowley 0-1 each.
GOOD COUNSEL LIFFEY GAELS: E Rockett; S McDonnell, J Eagers, A Balfe; A Coleman, Ashling Kennedy, A Delsart-Burke; A Farrell, N Ryan; C Downey, A McAdams, Abbie Kennedy; K Farrell, E Reid, K Blood. Subs: E McLoughlin, J Martin, S Bowden.
FINGALLIANS: C Maxwell; C Carroll, L McCormack, E Kirwan; E Barrett, A Grimes, C Foley; A Kenny, A Foley; A McKeating, N Gavin, C O’Grady; H Griffith, K Gargan, L Murphy. Subs: A Mullen, E Jones, L Courage, N Crowley.
MENTORS – Good Counsel Liffey Gaels: B Moore, N Kennedy, P Baker. Fingallians: J Kelly.
REFEREE: K Cahill (St Finian’s (S).
WIDES – Good Counsel Liffey Gaels: 4 (2+2); Fingallians: 5 (2+3).
CONDITIONS: Wet but mild.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Edel Reid (Good Counsel Liffey Gaels).
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