Kilbree minor camogie team completes the championship and league double

Kilbree camogie girls completed the double on Saturday when they defeated Clonakilty to win the minor camogie county championship.  

Kilbree had won the county league, defeating Castlemartyr, earlier in the season. This is the first year that Kilbree camogie club has fielded a minor team so this is a truly incredible achievement. The club’s junior team also won the county championship against Rockban in 2019. There will be great celebrations at the club’s victory dinner dance on January 4th 2020.

Kilbree played against a strong wind in the first half. However, they started very brightly and led by 2-1 to 0-1 within ten minutes, thanks to scores from Caoimhe Murphy, Aife O’Neill and Mairead Crowley. However, from this point on, Clonakilty took advantage of the wind especially with frees. Kilbree led 2-2 to 0-7 at half time.

Against the run of play, Clonakilty scored an early second-half goal to put them two points up. This was the only time in the match where Clon took the lead. In the final 20 minutes, Kilbree dominated all over the field. Heather Brimble made some fine saves in goal. Kilbree’s backs led by Rachel Deasy and Emily O’Donovan were rock solid throughout. 

A sublime overhead swing in front of goal netted Caoimhe Murphy a super goal. Maeve O’Neill, ably assisted by her sister Aife, netted another great goal. Mairead Crowley’s accuracy from frees settled the team and put the final result beyond doub, as Kilbree won 5-7 to 1-7.

Mairead Crowley was awarded the player of the match accolade. Captain Leanne Sheehy was delighted to accept the cup on behalf of her team.  Well done to Tony O’Neill, Aidan O’Shea, Anna O’Neill and Deirdre O’Leary for their great work with this team.  

Team: Heather Brimble, Sarah O’Donovan, Rachel Deasy, Katie Lancaster, Margaret Collins, Kate O’Donovan, Jessica O’Driscoll, Mary Murphy (0-1), Emily O’Donovan, Rebecca Hurley, Caoimhe Murphy (2-1), Mairead Crowley (1-5), Aife O’Neill (1-0), Leanne Sheehy (captain), Maeve O’Neill (1-0), Lorna O’Brien, Alice O’Donovan and Alison Collins.