Match Report from the Down Camogie U14 Plate Final > Carryduff GAC vs Ballygalget GAC
Carryduff faced the reigning Plate holders, Ballygalget, from the other side of the Peninsula on Saturday afternoon at half past two in Darragh Cross in an eagerly anticipated Camogie U14 Plate Final.
Not going overboard or underboard in any respects, but Ballygalget would be known as traditionalists in Camogie whereas Carryduff were appearing for the first time in a Camogie final of any kind.
The throng of ultra loyal supporters arrived in good time to dutifully occupy the sideline. There was no real demarcation as such, family, friends and fans were all beside each other with no introduction needed.
Darragh Cross has a good playing surface and although confident, Carryduff were nervous so it was a relief when the Referee, Lorraine McCartan from the Kilclief Ben Dearg club released the sliotar to start the final.
On a day with a dry blue sky, Carryduff played into the electronic scoreboard end in the first half.
Often a good start is half the battle, sometimes it is all the battle. Once Carryduff got settled with their opening score, they were eager for more. These group of camog’s just clicked to produce their greatest ever display to date. Their scores (both high and low) were rifled in with the accuracy of William Tell.
As expected, Ballygalget were great competitors and the quality of camogie began to flow. The technical play from stick to hand from both sides was majestic at times as each team were determined to win.
The Carryduff players enjoyed more freedom and fluency of movement as the match progressed.
From the netminder to their 6 lion hearted defenders, they showed anticipation to give little away and to inspire their colleagues by putting their camogie sticks in the hole in the dyke which acted as launching pads for attacking play.
Meanwhile, the midfielders and forwards were putting all the crumbs of possession to good use. Some of their passing and overlapping link play was a sight to behold.
After the interval break, Carryduff won as much of the sliotar as before and without being too ambitious, they could sense victory. Ballygalget tried to forage in different spells but even though they couldn’t get any dominance, they never surrendered. They had some real gritty and skillful players with loads of ability that will auger well in the future for Ballygalget, but this just wasn’t their day.
Even though the match was never on a knife edge, Carryduff got a sample of the meaning of the word “infinity” as the home straight beckoned. Privately, emotions were kept in check until the last whistle which signalled full stop. Becalmed is the emotion that comes to this writer’s mind before the sideline emptied onto the pitch as everyone unassumingly mingled on an historic day when Carryduff won their first ever Camogie Championship. A day, few will forget in a hurry as it was a day that the team displayed all their talents.
The Final Score was;
Carryduff GAC 6 goals, 14 points
Ballygalget GAC 0 goals, 2 points
Carryduff Camog’s involved were;
Caitriona, Caitlin B, Caoimhe D, Emily, Sophie, Caitlin F, Olivia, Caoimhe G, Jessica, Aoife G, Abigail, Emma, Cara, Annie, Aoife McG, Orla, Erin, Katie, Fiona, Evie and Aoibhe.
As for the Coaches (they know who they are), they have brought everything to the players under their stewardship. They never put so much as a small toe wrong. They never gave up on their players. They were patient, they gave them belief, they let them give Camogie a try and just as life is, it can be tough at times. They gave the players skills to play in their own ways. Play on is their message which is such an important message to give and to never give up on happiness.
Afterwards, the Carryduff players and supporters left Darragh Cross in a haze of smiling of goodwill and acclaim (if that is a good enough description)!.
