Castlegar tops in replay

Date Published: 11-Feb-2013

Castlegar 1-7

Ballycran 2-1

Darren Kelly at Casement Park

IF Castlegar are crowned All-Ireland Intermediate camogie champions, it will be a victory for determination, resilience and belief.

In a game no less compelling than the entertaining encounter witnessed in the Duggan Park seven days earlier, the Galway city side kept producing answers when asked and tested by their opponents, eventually breaking Ballycran’s spirit and booking their place in the decider against Rower Inistioge from Kilkenny.

The scoring was low but this replay never failed to enthrall both sets of supporters in Belfast last Sunday and while there were many long periods without the umpires reaching for the flags, the anticipation over who would strike the next blow left spectators intrigued as every twist unfolded.

No doubt, Castlegar like doing things the hard way. They allowed Ballycran complete control in the drawn match and were lucky to trail by only three points at half-time before Naomi Morgan nearly finished them with her second half goal. From somewhere, they found the fight as Aislinn Connolly levelled in injury time before putting themselves in a winning position. They couldn’t afford their opponents the same luxury again and they weren’t ready to do so.

There were concerns over whether they had the legs again a week later but Lorraine Keane’s battle hardened charges were up for the challenge and hit the opening salvo in the fifth minute when Connolly sent over a free. Already, the visitors were getting plenty of possession and the returning Maria Corcoran was making her presence felt.

Katie Connell made it 0-2 to 0-0 in the 13th minute but Castlegar could have been further ahead as Tara Connolly and Ruth Flaherty were both denied green flags by the side netting. After 16 minutes, Castlegar only had a two point cushion despite owning the sliothar and were made pay when Brid McGourty struck a major to give Ballycran the lead.

The tide seemed to turn but Castlegar wouldn’t relent. Maintaining their push with Donna Burke superb at full back with Elaine Murphy, Ruth Flaherty and Connolly covering plenty of ground around the middle, they equalised in the 19th minute when Connolly sent over a second free before another put Castlegar 0-4 to 1-0 in front.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Sentinel.